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Pascal Gross’s controversial injury-time penalty saved a well-deserved draw for Brighton, although Liverpool still topped the Premier League.
It was Brighton’s second penalty of the match after Neal Maupay fired a penalty kick in the first half at Amex Stadium.
The Reds thought they had taken the lead when Mohamed Salah grabbed a ball from Roberto Firmino before shooting home, but the video assistant referee called it off for offside.
Diogo Jota broke the deadlock, with his ninth goal since joining the Reds, as he received the pass from Salah before moving past two defenders and shooting into the bottom corner.
Substitute Sadio Mane believed he had sealed the match with a late Liverpool header, but that too was ruled out by VAR for offside.
And they had to pay when Andy Robertson kicked Danny Welbeck’s boot, with Stuart Attwell awarding the penalty after watching the screen, and Gross hitting the tie down the middle.
Boss Jurgen Klopp was furious with the referees when they left the field, although he agreed after the game that it was the correct decision.
The visitors lost James Milner to a hamstring injury, while Brighton had to replace both Maupay and Adam Lallana, who had only been on the field for eight minutes.
Liverpool manager Klopp had criticized television stations for putting this game on Saturday lunchtime because they had a Champions League game on Wednesday.
The reigning champions are one point ahead of Tottenham, who visit Chelsea on Sunday. Brighton remains 16th, five points ahead of 17th Burnley.
Late draw adds to Liverpool’s frustrations
Liverpool continues to lead the table, but by one point and not by three. The result, and not the performance, was the most important thing in this manic schedule, and they were moments away from getting the result they wanted.
Klopp warned last week that the game schedule means they may not finish the season with 11 players.
And Milner, who started the game in midfield and moved to right back, suffered a muscle injury in the second half to add to his concerns about defensive injuries.
They made six changes since their 2-0 loss to Atalanta on Wednesday, a game that had involved several fringe players, for this one.
The Reds didn’t create many chances, with six shots, just two on target, but Jota’s goal seemed like it was going to be enough until the end of the drama.
Robertson tried to clear the ball, but instead caught Welbeck’s foot. There was definitely contact, even if it wouldn’t have happened in a pre-VAR world.
Brighton gets the point they deserve
Brighton often pays for missed opportunities. Only Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester City have had more shots than the Seagulls’ 123 this season.
But despite that, they sit just two places out of the relegation zone.
No one could really argue that they deserved a point against the champions.
Upbeat Aaron Connolly, who seemed furious about being replaced in the second half, ran to Maupay’s long ball before doubling down. The Irishman was fouled by Neco Williams for the penalty that Maupay missed.
Maupay’s day got worse when he sustained a hamstring injury. He is the first player to start a Premier League game, miss a penalty and be replaced before the break since Dennis Bergkamp against Derby in April 1998.
Brighton eventually earned a dramatic point via Gross’s penalty to bring them to 10 points.
Brighton ends Reds’ nine-game winning streak – match stats
- Liverpool have been undefeated in each of their last 12 games against Brighton (W10 D2), and this draw ended a nine-game winning streak against the Seagulls.
- Brighton has never won a home game in the top flight against Liverpool (4 draws and 4 losses), without keeping a clean sheet.
- Brighton are winless in their last nine home matches in the Premier League (D4 L5), their longest winless streak in home competition.
- Diogo Jota has scored nine goals in his 14 Liverpool appearances, scoring eight goals in his last eight.
- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in nine goals in his seven Premier League games against Brighton (five goals, four assists). Against neither team has he recorded more goal appearances in the competition (level with Bournemouth, Watford and West Ham).
Whats Next?
Liverpool return to Champions League action on Tuesday, at home to Ajax (20:00 GMT), before hosting Wolves on Sunday, December 6 in the league (19:15).
Brighton has nine days off. Their next game is at home to Southampton on Monday, December 7 (20:00) in the league.
