Brighton refuse to roll over, but they are struggling to pick out the decisive final ball to capitalize on their spell of dominance.

If the visitors can grab a goal, it will set up a seriously nervy finish.

LIVERPOOL MUST TAKE THESE CHANCES!

The hosts squander another opening for a third as Barcola releases Gakpo on the counter.

The Dutchman’s delivery into the area misses Isak, allowing Brighton to clear.

Liverpool are desperate for a killer third goal as Brighton keep posing a threat at the opposite end.

Liverpool win another corner on the right as Gakpo strikes from inside the box, with his shot deflecting behind off Costinha.

Kerkez then delivers an inswinging cross, but Dunk rises to head it clear.

Nyoni is instantly involved, producing a brilliant challenge to block De Cuyper’s shot inside the Liverpool area.

Ayari then follows up with a right-footed effort that drifts just wide.

SUB: Liverpool make their opening change, bringing on Nyoni for Wirtz.

Wirtz heads directly down the tunnel shortly after sustaining a knock in a clash with Ayari.

Brighton remain on top as the match approaches the final 25 minutes.

The visitors still need a breakthrough if they are to really put the heat on Liverpool.

Wirtz returns to the pitch following treatment for his clash with Ayari.

Liverpool are going to need him if they want a third goal to wrap up the match.

Vuskovic takes the free kick, attempting to clip it over the Liverpool wall.

The Brighton defender gets it over the barrier, but hits it far too hard as the ball sails high over Alisson’s crossbar.

Wirtz appears to be in severe pain after colliding with Ayari right on the edge of the Liverpool box.

Brighton win a dangerous free-kick, but the main focus is on Wirtz, who has definitely come off worse.

Liverpool force a succession of corners down the left, with Wirtz taking both.

He tries to pick out Mac Allister at the near post, but the Argentinian fails to connect, letting Brighton survive the pressure.

SUB: Yalcouye replaces Chema Andres for Brighton.

The Spaniard appears to have picked up a knock, becoming Brighton’s second enforced change following Kadioglu’s withdrawal on six minutes.

It is delicately balanced now.

Brighton are pushing forward as they search for a way back in, leaving gaps for Liverpool to exploit on the counter.

That next goal is going to be massive.

Liverpool look dangerous on the break once more as Mac Allister picks out Gakpo on the left.

The Dutchman surges towards the Brighton area, but his pass misses Isak and the visitors manage to clear their lines.

Brighton earn an early corner on the right after Van Dijk diverts Gomez’s cross behind.

De Cuyper swings the resulting delivery onto Vuskovic’s head, but he is unable to steer his effort on target, letting the ball bounce out for a goal kick.

History isn’t on Brighton’s side here, having salvaged just a single point (3-3 vs West Ham in Feb 2020) from their previous 21 Premier League away fixtures when trailing by two or more goals at the interval.

Still, there were plenty of encouraging signs from the Seagulls before the break that they will look to build on in the second half.

Brighton shade the first-half xG stats with 0.81 compared to Liverpool’s 0.6.

However, the hosts have never lost any of their 126 Premier League matches at home when ahead by two or more goals at the interval (W123, D3), which likely accounts for the Opta supercomputer handing Liverpool an 89.1% probability of taking the win at the break.

A Brighton victory sits at 2.6%, with a draw valued at 8.3%.

Half-time at Anfield and Liverpool are 2-0 up against a lively Brighton outfit.

The Reds made a fast start and opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Wirtz’s right-footed strike deflected off Gross in the penalty area.

Isak quickly doubled the advantage four minutes later, meeting Barcola’s right-wing cross to tuck home with his left from close range.

Even so, the visitors have carried a threat; Ayari blazed over from inside the box on 14 minutes before hitting the post on 36 minutes following a sloppy pass from Alisson.

Verbruggen also had to turn away Araujo’s right-footed effort shortly before the interval as the hosts look firmly in control.

YELLOW CARD!

Brighton’s Boscagli goes into the book for the game’s first caution after a late challenge on Barcola.