Tight table leaves Brighton dreaming of what might be

We are nearly one-third of the way through the Premier League season now and the closeness in the table was shown by Brighton yo-yoing from sixth to third to seventh over 90 minutes against Liverpool.

By the end of the weekend, the Albion sat eighth on 16 points. If the league remains this competitive and tight until the end, Brighton will be in with a good chance of finishing high up the table. High enough to play European football again? That would be a dream.

Liverpool is a wonderful city to visit. Its sights and history are incredible and there is something for everyone. From a German U-boat to a yellow submarine in The Beatles Museum.

The famous Cavern Club and a Beatles-themed hotel. And of course, Anfield and Goodison Park. Two of the most historic and well-known football grounds in England.

Brighton had lost 3-2 to Liverpool just three days earlier in the League Cup at the Amex. This was going to be a different game played between first choice teams rather than second.

Warren Aspinall gave some good advice on BBC Radio Sussex beforehand. He said Brighton needed to fire in shots, take chances and if not, hope for a lucky richochet.

The Albion did fire in shots but there was no luck in front of goal. It might have been a different outcome otherwise and Brighton would sit third in the table rather than eighth.

It sounded over the radio like the Kop was a little apprehensive through the first half with the Albion away faithful clearly heard chanting louder than the home support.

Bart Verbruggen was called upon to make an amazing ninth minute save from Darwin Nunez. Liverpool had another attempt from the resulting corner which Ferdi Kadioglu cleared away.

Brighton came into the game after that and took the lead on 14 minutes. Kaoru Mitoma sprinted down the left. His cross led to a great touch from Danny Welbeck, into the feet of Kadioglu.

With his right foot, Kadioglu placed the ball back across goal and it glanced in off the post. Liverpool had conceded only five goals at home before Welbeck struck. Could the Albion add more?

After celebrating the goal by giving my settee springs a good hiding, reality set in. Brighton probably could add more, but there was also a long way to go. Liverpool were likely to be fired up by falling behind.

The Albion though went up another gear. Yasin Ayari weighted a brilliant curving ball through to Georginio Rutter, who escaped Virgil van Dijk to go in on goal.

With just Caoimhin Kelleher to beat, Rutter placed his shot straight at the home goalkeeper. A great chance went begging but at the same time, Liverpool looked vulnerable.

Then came more spectacular football from Albion. The fight at the back to keep the ball out of the net led to a great break, ending with Kadioglu chipping it over the bar.

It would have been a brilliant goal if it had gone in. Mitoma again made the chance, sprinting away down the left.

Liverpool survived another close call when Danny Welbeck curled a free kick into the side netting, leaving the Reds grateful to make it to half time only one behind.

All the talk during the break was about how good Brighton had been. Even Paul Merson on Sky Sports was gushing about the Albion, when the focus in these situations from pundits is usually on how bad the bigger club have played.

Liverpool scored within seconds of part two starting on Wednesday. Thankfully, they did not do so on this occasion.

Brighton were, however, under a lot more pressure. Verbruggen produced some fantastic saves, denying Alexis Mac Allister a diving header and Mo Salah a run on goal.

The Albion had their resistance broken on 70 minutes. Cody Gakpo crossed, Nunez ducked and the ball evaded everyone to find the far corner of the Brighton net.

There were now 20 minutes for Brighton to hold on for a deserved point. But two minutes later, Liverpool took the lead.

Salah came down the right side and was allowed to tee up a shot on his left foot. This is always a big no-no. Salah curled into the far corner to put the Reds 2-1 up.

It was telling that Liverpool head coach Arne Slot looked relieved rather than happy afterwards. He knew Liverpool had been in a game, particularly in the first half when Brighton totally outplayed their hosts. For the Albion, it was a shame those chances were not turned into goals.

Next up… Manchester City. If Brighton play as well as they did at Anfield, they have nothing to fear against the out-of-sorts champions.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony