Leandro Trossard scored a sublime hat-trick to earn Brighton a share of the spoils in a pulsating draw at Anfield, condemning Liverpool to their fourth stalemate of a so far underwhelming league campaign.
Their chances of bringing the Premier League crown back to Anfield for the second time under Jurgen Klopp look to be a distant dream, with the manager bemoaning yet another “rubbish start” as they fell further behind frontrunners Arsenal in the title race.
The Gunners are already 11 points better off at the summit, while high-flying Brighton maintain their impressive standing just inside the top four, four points ahead of Liverpool in ninth.
“Star” forward Trossard had the visitors firmly in the driving seat, scoring twice inside the opening 20 minutes to give his side a two-goal advantage, before Roberto Firmino clawed the Reds back into the tie with two strikes of his own either side of the break.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson started his first match for the club in over a month as manager Jurgen Klopp made allowances for the international break in his team selection.
Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota were all left on the bench as Fabio Carvalho and Roberto Firmino start up front alongside Mohamed Salah.
New Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made only one change for his first match and the Seagulls’ first in a month with Pervis Estupinan replacing the ill Enock Mwepu.
Liverpool then completed the turnaround just past the hour when Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had been centre of attention pre-match, delivered a teasing corner which caused confusion inside the Brighton box as the ball inadvertently, hit Adam Webster before rolling cautiously over the line.
