Wirtz, Isak give Liverpool 2-0 win over Brighton

Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday in the Premier League, taking control with two first-half goals in front of a crowd of 60,404.

The opener came when a Florian Wirtz shot was deflected into the net by Brighton defender Pascal Gross, who was credited with an own goal. Alexander Isak made it 2-0 four minutes later, finishing a move that involved Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. It was Isak’s sixth goal of the season, according to NBC Sports.

Neither source gave exact minutes for the goals, only that both came before half-time.

Brighton had their chances to get back into the match. Yasin Ayari missed a chance in the 14th minute, and his bending effort hit the post in the 36th. The hosts relied on last-ditch clearances from Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo to protect the lead, according to the club’s match report. At the other end, Bart Verbruggen saved a curling effort from Cody Gakpo and a powerful Araujo drive near the break.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said the team needed the win at home to celebrate with supporters, and he called it a fourth straight victory, NBC Sports reported. Isak said the win was long overdue and came with a clean sheet. Wirtz said the team had the right mentality and that leading 2-0 at half-time helped.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler called the result a missed opportunity and said his side made two easy mistakes that handed Liverpool the goals. Verbruggen said Brighton came to Anfield believing they could win and pointed to an improved second half.

The club’s match report lists Liverpool fourth in the table after the result. Brighton suffered only their second loss of the season, NBC Sports said.

Liverpool play Chelsea in the League Cup on Wednesday, then host Arsenal in the Premier League next Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET (9:30 a.m. MT). Brighton visit Manchester City in the League Cup on Wednesday.

The weekend’s other Premier League results included Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Chelsea and Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton, the team Liverpool face next weekend.

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Via Liverpool FC and NBC Sports.