Liverpool continued their strong run against one of their most familiar opponents, securing a confident 2–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Matchday 16 of the Premier League. The Reds once again proved a difficult puzzle for the Seagulls, who have beaten Liverpool just once in recent meetings — and that came after the Merseyside club had already sealed the title last season.

The game could hardly have started better for the hosts. After just 45 seconds, Joe Gomez spotted the run of Hugo Ekitike and slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area. The French forward showed composure beyond his years, finishing clinically to give Liverpool an immediate advantage.

The tempo remained high, but the key moment of the second half arrived on the hour mark. Mohamed Salah, who had earlier replaced the injured Gomez, delivered a precise cross into the box. Ekitike rose above the defence and powered a header past the goalkeeper to complete his brace and double Liverpool’s lead.

Both before and after the second goal, chances flowed at both ends. Brighton pressed with intent, while Liverpool threatened repeatedly on the break. Despite the open nature of the contest, neither side could add to the scoreline.

The final whistle confirmed a 2–0 win for Liverpool, with Hugo Ekitike firmly the headline act.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Liverpool - Brighton 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Ekitike, 1 (1:0); Ekitike, 60 (2:0)

Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez (Salah, 26); van Dijk; Konate; Kerkez M.; Wirtz (Robertson A., 78); Szoboszlai (Chiesa F., 83); Mac Allister A.; Jones Cur.; Gravenberch R.; Ekitike (Isak, 78)
Substitution: Salah (from 26); Robertson A. (from 78); Isak (from 78); Chiesa F. (from 83)
Bench: Mamardashvili; Ramsay C.; Omoruyi; Ngumoha
Yellow Cards: Konate 64

Brighton: Verbruggen; Dunk; van Hecke; Hinshelwood (Welbeck, 82); Baleba (Ayari, 64); Gomez D. (Milner, 87); Wieffer; Gruda (Mitoma, 64); Minteh; Kadioglu; Rutter (Kostoulas, 82)
Substitution: Mitoma (from 64); Ayari (from 64); Welbeck (from 82); Kostoulas (from 82); Milner (from 87)
Bench: Steele; Boscagli; De Cuyper; Veltman
Yellow Cards: Gomez D. 45; Dunk 59