Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 as Isak scores his sixth goal of the season

Isak keeps scoring as Liverpool win a fourth match in a row

Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 in an English championship match at Anfield on Sunday, AFP reports. The hosts scored twice in the first half: first came an own goal by Pascal Gross, then Alexander Isak found the net. According to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, the Swede is back to his best form: this season he has scored six goals in seven league matches, three of them in the last four. After the controversial move from Newcastle and a difficult debut season, the striker, in the agency's assessment, is finally beginning to justify the £125 million transfer fee ($167 million). 'If we can get him into those positions, deliver good crosses to him, create situations, he will score,' AFP quoted Iraola as saying.

Iraola secures his first league win at Anfield

For Iraola, who arrived from Bournemouth in the off-season, this is his first league victory at Anfield: previously he had lost his first three league matches on Merseyside, although he had earlier won there in the Champions League and the League Cup. After the humiliating 0-3 home defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool have won four matches in a row in all competitions and climbed to fourth place — one point behind third-placed Brighton, who suffered only their second league defeat. The gap to leaders City is six points. 'Very pleased with today's performance and with this fourth win overall. We needed a strong start: aggression, ball winning, duels won, danger in transitions,' Iraola said.

Brighton dominated possession but failed to convert chances

Brighton enjoyed 64% possession and took 17 shots, yet only one was on target: Yasin Ayari's effort hit the post. The Seagulls' clean-sheet streak, which had lasted more than nine hours, came to an end. Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler felt his side deserved more: 'Everyone in the stadium saw that there was one team that really tried to create chances and win this match, so I have to praise my players. It's a missed opportunity for us.' He acknowledged that Liverpool defended well and blocked shots, and that the difference was in finishing. A separate concern for the hosts: Florian Wirtz was forced to leave the pitch after rolling his ankle. Iraola noted that the injury 'does not look serious', but with games coming every three days, the player's condition will need to be assessed.

Why it matters

The result changes the picture at the top of the table: Liverpool have closed in on Brighton and remain in contention for the title, trailing City by six points. For the Reds' fans, Isak's form also matters — according to AFP, he has scored in 6 of 7 league matches, which directly affects the team's results. A practical concern is Wirtz's condition: with games every three days, his participation in the upcoming matches is in doubt, and there is still no final verdict on the severity of the injury.