Isak scores as Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 for first home league win

Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday to move into fourth place in the Premier League, with both goals arriving in a four-minute spell before half-time. Pascal Gross was credited with an own goal in the 17th minute before Alexander Isak doubled the lead in the 21st. Sky Sports reported that it was Liverpool's first home league victory under Andoni Iraola.

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The result also extended Liverpool's winning sequence to four matches across all competitions, according to the club's official match report. Iraola made four changes from the side that started against Villarreal in the Champions League, restoring Isak, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Bradley Barcola. Wirtz and Barcola would each play a part in establishing the advantage Liverpool protected for the remainder of the afternoon.

Brighton had an opportunity to score first when Yasin Ayari fired over from a Gross cut-back in the 14th minute. Liverpool then went ahead after Ronald Araujo's cross was only partly cleared. Wirtz collected the loose ball and shot, with the effort deflecting off Gross and into the net. The goal was recorded against the Brighton midfielder rather than credited to Wirtz.

Barcola created the second by blocking Olivier Boscagli's attempted clearance, reaching the loose ball and delivering into the penalty area. Isak converted from close range to score for a third consecutive Premier League match, Sky Sports reported. The quick second goal left Brighton chasing the game despite an attacking start to the season that had produced 23 goals in their first seven league fixtures.

Ayari came close again before the interval, striking a post after Liverpool lost possession while playing out from the back. At the other end, Bart Verbruggen made saves from Cody Gakpo and Araujo. Liverpool's official report also highlighted defensive interventions from Jeremy Jacquet and Araujo that helped preserve the two-goal margin through the first half.

Brighton committed more players forward after the break but could not find a goal. Liverpool had counterattacking opportunities without adding a third, while the visitors finished with only one shot on target, according to Sky Sports. The defeat was Brighton's second of the league campaign, and Liverpool completed the afternoon with both three points and a clean sheet.