Liverpool were denied a dramatic comeback victory by a Leandro Trossard treble as Roberto de Zerbi enjoyed a memorable Brighton debut at Anfield.
The Seagulls enjoyed a perfect start with the Belgian winger scoring twice within the opening 17 minutes. Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino gave the hosts hope ahead of half-time as he latched onto Mohamed Salah 's ball and slammed home, with the VAR overturning the referee's initial offside call. The Brazilian then hauled the Reds level after the interval after combining with Luis Diaz.
Anfield was on its feet once again as Adam Webster put through his own net to seemingly secure victory for Liverpool. Trossard was not done there, though, as he secured the matchball with another lethal finish.
Here are five talking points as the Reds dropped yet more Premier League points...
1. De Zerbi dealt debut drama
Having been confirmed as Graham Potter's permanent replacement at Brighton, Italian schemer Roberto de Zerbi was handed a baptism of fire in facing Liverpool. Should he have not been aware already, he now knows the task that faces him regarding life in the Premier League.
For large portions of the game, it looked as though the Seagulls were on their way to a memorable victory only to see the game slip away from his side.
It feels like Anfield is among those grounds to have seen most of the drama in the Premier League and that continued with Firmino's brace and Webster's own goal seemingly condemning the Seagulls to defeat, only for Trossard to step up in the closing minutes. De Zerbi might well need a heart rate monitor should he want to enjoy a long stint in the top-flight of English football.
Who was your standout performer in Brighton's victory at Anfield? Share your suggestions in the comments below
2. Out of practice Liverpool endure another slow start
Despite having not lost the match, the Reds' unfortunate habit of conceding the first goal in a game this season continued against Brighton. They have already found themselves behind to the likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Newcastle United alone in the Premier League so far this season.
To Liverpool's credit, in only one of those aforementioned games had Jurgen Klopp 's men failed to avoid defeat - that coming against the Red Devils.
It is almost understandable that they were not very quickly out of the traps against Brighton having not played a Premier League match in just under a calendar month and it is certainly a useful feature to have in managing to still find routes back into matches.
Regardless, should the Reds harbour aspirations of success this season, they simply must find a way to start games better and save themselves unnecessary grief of being forced to come from behind to claim points
3. Trossard continues to sparkle
Since arriving at Brighton from Belgian outfit Genk in 2019, Trossard has regularly been one of the Seagulls' most consistent performers but the wideman looks set to take his levels to even greater heights this campaign.
With his brace on Merseyside, the 27-year-old now has five goals to his name in the Premier League this season which is over halfway to the best goalscoring count of his career in England.
De Zerbi will certainly be hoping that he continues his stunning performances as he aims to continue Graham Potter 's excellent work at the AMEX Stadium.
4. Alexander-Arnold produces more questions than answers
It feels extremely harsh to pile in on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after what was a tricky fortnight on the international front. However, talk over his place in the England squad appears not to have had the desired impact on his club form.
The right-back did not cover himself in glory during the first goal after his poor, clearing header was picked up before Trossard easily wriggled away from him. He then had to shoulder a large portion of the blame for the second after failing to control and then let Danny Welbeck to ghost in-behind undetected.
It might now be time to take the academy graduate out of the side to avoid the unwanted glare of the spotlight any more.
5. Firmino settles Nunez debate for now
Heading into the current season, it was fully expected that club record signing Darwin Nunez would regularly be leading the line for the Reds throughout the vast majority of the season.
However, that hasn't turned out to be the case with the Uruguayan having struggled for consistency over the opening months of the campaign. In the meantime, fellow forward Roberto Firmino has been in far better form.
The 30-year-old - an ever-reliable member of Klopp's squad - now has five Premier League goals to his name this season and matches compatriot Gabriel Jesus ' total, whilst he was one of the standouts against Brighton throughout the game.
There is now surely no doubt that the former Hoffenheim star should be leading the line for the Reds for the foreseeable future.
