Liverpool 2 - 1 Brighton & Hove Albion: 3 reasons why the Reds won the match | Premier League 2019-20

Liverpool continued their winning ways in the Premier League as they saw off a late second-half onslaught from 15th placed Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a 2-1 win at Anfield. With yet another victory in the English top-flight, The Reds are currently on the third-longest unbeaten run in Premier League history, having gone 31 games without tasting defeat so far.

Jürgen Klopp's side equalled the club's best-ever unbeaten league run set under Kenny Dalglish from May 1987 to March 1988.

Virgil van Dijk scored two headers in the first half from two exquisite deliveries by right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. If not for the opposition goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, a lot of players from the home side would've gotten on the scoresheet.

After defending champions Manchester City dropped points earlier, the home team took this opportunity to go eleven points clear at the top, albeit temporarily.

Although they needed two goalkeepers to get through the 90 minutes, they held on to take all three points from the game. In this article, we analyse the reasons for Liverpool's historic win against Brighton.

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#3 Jurgen Klopp's heavy metal football at its best

Virgil van Dijk scored both of Liverpool's goals

Although the hosts took a few minutes to find their rhythm in the first half, given that they just had a big game against Napoli in the Champions League a couple of days ago, as soon as their passes starting connecting, it became a classic Liverpool performance.

After two opportunities from forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, it took brilliant movement from Virgil van Dijk to direct the ball into the back of the net for the opening goal.

Following the first goal, the action kicked into next gear and the Liverpool players seemed to have been infused with a dose of energy. They pressed very high and forced the opposition defenders into errors constantly.

Yet again the full-back duo of Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson were at the top of their game, while the forwards and midfielders linked beautifully with them to covert defence phases into attacks in a flash.

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#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold's evergrowing set-piece taking prowess

Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the assists for both of Liverpool's goals

There's a saying that goes: "Attack is the best form of defence", it aptly sums up the offensive contributions of Liverpool's backline in recent times. It applies very well to tonight's game as well, because the combination of centre-half Virgil van Dijk & right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold led to both of the host's goals, and Lewis Dunk also scored for the visitors.

The English defender had a staggering 12 assists last season and is known for his pinpoint crosses & top-notch dead-ball skills. In the 18th minute, he whipped in a free-kick from close range which Van Dijk headed into the back of the net to break the deadlock.

This was followed by another Van Dijk header at the end of the young defender's arrowed corner kick to double their lead in the 24th minute. At the moment, Arnold's only goal this campaign and four of his five assists have all come from set-piece situations, proving his effectiveness in such conditions.

#1 Brighton & Hove Albion's defenders made a mess in critical moments

Virgil van Dijk scoring the opening goal for Liverpool

Though goalkeeper Matt Ryan was in inspired form during the fixture, dodgy defending from his teammates forced him to pick the ball out of his net two times in six minutes during the first half.

Apart from the usually reliable Lewis Dunk, other players in the visitors' backline failed to impress and barely held their own against the onslaught of attacks from Liverpool's front three.

Poor marking during set-pieces led them to concede two early goals, both similar in fashion and scored by the same player. Had the defenders communicated properly, they could've stopped at least the second goal, as they again left Van Dijk free in dangerous territory.

Brighton was unprepared for the side which has scored the most goals from headers this season. Van Dijk's brace took Liverpool's headed goals tally to 10 for the season so far.