Liverpool star Florian Wirtz has shown growing signs of improvement for the Reds, but his one key intervention in the first half against Brighton has been taken away from him

The Premier League has taken away Florian Wirtz's goal in the first half against Brighton, instead deciding to award it as an own goal against Pascal Gross.

The 23-year-old had helped get the Reds on their way at Anfield against an in-form away side, as promising opportunities opened up for both teams in the opening stages. Ronald Araujo did well to burst past his opposite number on the Liverpool right, staying on his feet and pulling the ball across the box. The ball wasn't quite cleared by Brighton, instead landing at the feet of Wirtz, who took aim and fired toward goal.

That effort was deflected, as it was seemingly moving toward the left of the goal, but it was diverted to the right via the outstretched leg of Gross, creeping under the outstretched hand of Bart Verbruggen in the process.

It would have been a fine reward for Wirtz to reflect his recent uptick in form, having fought back from recent criticism to play a key role in the attack across the recent Premier League and Champions League fixtures.

However, unfortunately for him, the Premier League later announced that a decision had been made to award the finish as an own goal.

A post from the Premier League Match Centre reads: "The goal accreditation panel has adjudged Liverpool’s 17th minute goal as a Gross own goal."

It would have been the 23-year-old's first goal of the season in the Premier League, after he opened his account for the overall campaign with his strike against Villarreal in midweek.

While the opener against Brighton won't count toward his personal tally, the star may not care, as the team's result always comes first.

After that own goal gave Liverpool the lead, it was doubled just moments later, as Bradley Barcola chased after Brighton in possession, getting fortunate to win the ball back after a clearance struck him in the face. The Frenchman made the most of that luck, running at the backline and picking out Alexander Isak, who side-footed the ball into the back of the net.

It marked an ideal start to the game for Andoni Iraola, and one that should sustain the momentum and confidence being seen in the frontline.

While it hasn't been free-flowing and devastating as of yet, the big-money Liverpool forwards are starting to be decisive in games when they really matter, which is the reason why so much gets shelled out for those options.

The Reds will be hoping that continues, especially for Wirtz amid recent criticism, as he looks to show exactly why so much faith was placed in his ability.

While he wasn't handed that opening goal, the German international will know that without him, that lead wouldn't have come about when it did for his side.

Liverpool went on to win the game 2-0.