Five Talking Points: Ekitike Explodes, Salah Returns, and Liverpool Finally Breathe Again

For the first time in weeks, Liverpool walked out of Anfield with a bit of swagger back in their step. A 2–0 win over Brighton doesn’t fix the season, but it does steady it. And it gives Arne Slot the one thing he’s desperately needed: breathing room.

Here are the five big talking points from an afternoon that felt, finally, like a small turning of the tide.

1. Hugo Ekitike Is Dragging Liverpool Forward Single-Handedly

There’s no dancing around it: Ekitike is Liverpool’s most dangerous attacker right now — by a mile.

Two more goals.
Ten for the season.
Back-to-back Premier League braces.

The lad scored inside 46 seconds, the fastest goal of the Premier League season, then added a thumping header from Salah’s corner. His movement, aggression, and confidence are a level above anything else Liverpool have shown in the final third in months.

While Alexander Isak floats around the periphery and Salah deals with his off-field saga, Ekitike is simply getting on with it and delivering.

He’s becoming indispensable — and Liverpool’s biggest January wish should be keeping him fit.

2. Salah Returned… and Looked Like Salah Again

After that interview and a week of chaos, all eyes were on Mo Salah — and to his credit, he delivered.

He came on earlier than planned due to Gomez’s injury and immediately gave Liverpool tempo. His corner for Ekitike’s second was perfect, taking him to 277 goal involvements, more than any player for a single club in Premier League history.

There were flashes of the old sharpness, a few trademark darts, and one golden chance that he should have buried.

The bigger story?
Salah applauded all four stands at full-time.
The Kop roared back.

With AFCON duty about to take him away for over a month, the question hangs heavily in the air: Was that a goodbye… or a reset?

3. Brighton Will Be Kicking Themselves All The Way Home

Fabian Hürzeler’s side created nearly as much as Liverpool — more, in fact, according to xG (1.96 to Liverpool’s 1.82).

Diego Gómez went clean through but Alisson saved brilliantly.
Gómez missed an open goal.
Gruda fired wide by inches.
Welbeck never quite found the final touch.

Brighton had 14 shots, 28 touches in Liverpool’s box, covered 120km, and left with nothing.

Their December curse continues — nine Premier League matches this month without a win. It won’t get easier mentally after this.

4. Wirtz Sparkles but Still Searches for the Final Ball

Florian Wirtz was involved in multiple chances, linked beautifully with Ekitike, and glided through Brighton’s midfield in spells — but still walks away without a goal or assist in the Premier League.

His quality is obvious.
His ceiling is huge.
His end product must come.

Brighton couldn’t live with his movement, but frustration is creeping in. Liverpool need him to turn influence into numbers — especially with Salah disappearing to AFCON and Gakpo unavailable.

5. A Clean Sheet, Some Control, and a Little Bit of Calm

Let’s not pretend Liverpool were dominant. They weren’t. Brighton had plenty of openings, and the xG battle reflects that.

But Liverpool defended with more focus, cleared 31 balls, won 18 aerial duels, and — most importantly — didn’t collapse under pressure.

Slot called it “relief,” not perfection. And that’s exactly right.

This win doesn’t fix Liverpool’s season.
It doesn’t answer the Salah saga.
It doesn’t guarantee stability.

But for the first time in a month, Liverpool look like a team that can breathe, think, and build.

Tottenham away next — and now, finally, Liverpool look ready to fight again.