Liverpool seize top spot
Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to the top of the Premier League as the Egypt star’s clinical finish capped a stirring fightback to beat Brighton 2-1 last Sunday (Mar 31).
Jurgen Klopp’s side were rocked by Danny Welbeck’s blistering strike after just 85 seconds at Anfield before Luis Diaz equalised later in the first half.
Salah netted just after the interval to seal a vital victory with his third goal in his last three games and his 22nd in all competitions this term.
Unbeaten in their last six league matches, Liverpool sit two points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who drew 0-0 with third-placed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium just a few hours later in a game of few chances and little action.
It means treble-chasing Liverpool are in the driving seat as they eye a recordequalling 20th English title – and first since 2020 – in Klopp’s final season.
After former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso confirmed he intends to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is a reported candidate to replace Klopp when the German steps down at the end of this term.
Klopp is a big fan of De Zerbi’s attacking philosophy and praised him as a “top coach” this week.
Asked after the game about the link to Liverpool, De Zerbi said: “I have another two years of contract. My focus is on Brighton this season, the next season.”
Aston Villa remain in fourth after a 2-0 win over Wolves, thanks to goals from Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konsa. Villa are three points ahead of Tottenham who needed a late strike from captain Son Heung-min to secure a 2-1 win against Luton.
Elsewhere, Mason Mount’s first goal for the Manchester United in the 96th minute looked set to snatch victory for Erik ten Hag’s men despite being thoroughly outplayed at Brentford.
However, the Bees hit back three minutes later through Kristoffer Ajer to register just their second point in seven games.
Chelsea failed to make the most of an extra man for the entire second half and drew 2-2 against second-bottom Burnley, while Everton’s winless run stretched to a club record 12 Premier League games after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth left the Toffees just three points above the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest edged out of the bottom three, above Luton on goal difference, as Chris Wood salvaged a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, while bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United were denied just their fourth win of the season after conceding twice late on to draw 3-3 with Fulham.
The game of the weekend, however, was Newcastle United’s 4-3 win over West Ham. The Toon were 3-1 down with only 13 minutes remaining but staged a remarkable fightback to secure all three points.