Liverpool reduce the gap behind Premier League leaders Manchester City to three points by condemning Brighton & Hove Albion to a 2-0 defeat at the Amex.
Luis Diaz opened the scoring after he latched onto a beautiful ball from Joel Matip to bravely head past Robert Sanchez, who subsequently clattered into him.
Yves Bissouma was penalised for handling Naby Keita’s shot inside the box and Mohamed Salah emphatically converted past Sanchez to add his 20th league goal of the season.
Salah was later substituted after sustaining a suspected leg injury.
Liverpool started within themselves and Neal Maupay nearly capitalised on their sluggish start when his low shot from range whistled wide of the near post.
The Reds did come close when Sadio Mane’s stabbed finish deflected wide.
They reaped the reward for their improvement in performance when Diaz scored in the 19th minute.
Matip launched a spectacular diagonal ball in behind the Brighton defence and Diaz bravely headed beyond Sanchez and into the back of the net.
His bravery came at a cost as he required a lengthy period of treatment but Sanchez avoided further punishment for a reckless high foot.
Brighton flew out of the traps after the break. Maupay turned away from Virgil van Dijk to tee up Leandro Trossard but the Belgian blazed a golden chance over the crossbar.
Salah teased his way into the penalty area and his eventual shot richocheted off Lewis Dunk and looped onto the crossbar.
Liverpool added their second when Keita’s effort struck the right outstretched arm of Bissouma. Salah stepped up to the spot to confidently and emphatically dispatch his strike beyond the dive of Sanchez.
Danny Welbeck was superbly thwarted by Alisson in the dying stages with the Brazilian goalkeeper clawing his thunderous finish over the woodwork.
