Roberto Firmino and inventive Philippe Coutinho inspire Liverpool to crushing win over Brighton

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The gap to the league leaders Manchester City remains daunting, but Liverpool are beginning to assert themselves among the chasing pack. A comprehensive victory, capped by two goals from Roberto Firmino, moved Jurgen Klopp’s side back into the top four and provided a telling reminder of the attacking strengths that are key to their ambitions this season.

Firmino’s double, together from Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho and Lewis Dunk’s own-goal, took the Reds’ tally to 25 goals in their last eight games. With the defence showing signs of improvement, Klopp’s side are in a fine run of form that has now brought 16 points from their last 18 games.

The outcome of this game was never in doubt and while Glenn Murray’s penalty gave Albion hope at 3-1, there was little prospect of Chris Hughton’s side avoiding defeat and two late goals – a Coutinho free-kick and Dunk’s unfortunate header – added gloss to the scoreline. This was a game for the promoted side to forget as they continue in their bid to establish themselves in the Premier League.

Klopp made six changes to the side that won 3-0 at Stoke City midweek. That game marked the first time the Reds have kept a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season but the manager was forced to make changes to his back-four with Joel Matip injured and Joe Gomez. With Ragnar Klavan not fit enough to start, Klopp fielded a makeshift back-line with Emre Can pressed into the unfamiliar role of centre-back.

In-form Mohamed Salah lined up alongside Coutinho and Firmino in a three-pronged attack and it was the Liverpool forwards who saw much more of the ball in the opening moments as Klopp’s side immediately pressed forward. Salah was quick to move onto a loose ball but was denied by a good save from Brighton keeper Mat Ryan and Firmino should have done better when he headed over from Coutinho’s corner.

As dominant as Liverpool were, however, their build-up play lacked urgency and their tendency to play the ball across the pitch in front of the Brighton defence did little to unsettle the home side.

And Albion offered Liverpool a reminder they could take nothing for granted when they created a good opening in the 16th minute that might have produced an opening goal for Murray but for the late intervention of Georginio Wijnaldum. The Brighton striker took too long to control Izzy Brown’s left wing cross, allowing the Liverpool midfielder to challenge.

That marked the start of an improved passage of play by the home side that came to an abrupt halt in the 30th minute when Liverpool’s aerial threat led to the opening goal. Coutinho’s right wing corner was clipped towards the edge of the six-yard area where Can out-jumped Murray to head past Ryan.

Then sixty seconds later, Liverpool were fully in control as they demonstrated their attacking strength. Salah led a break, driving at a backpedalling Brighton defence before playing the ball out to his left where Coutinho was advancing into the area. The Brazilian delivered a low cross towards the far post where Firmino, his international team-mate, arrived to slot home.

A difficult task suddenly appeared even more daunting for Brighton who desperately needed to gain a foothold in the game. It looked as though their moment had come two minutes into the second half when Brown again found space on the left and delivered a cross that Murray met on the volley just six yards out, only to direct his effort against Simon Mignolet’s legs.

If that was frustrating for Hughton, worse was to come with Liverpool breaking immediately, with Salah reaching the Albion area before laying off for Firmino who finished well past Ryan.

Brighton responded quickly, clawing their way back into the game three minutes later when Murray scored from the penalty spot after Jordan Henderson pushed Duffy as the defender attempted to meet Pascal Gross’s corner.

Liverpool, though, were too strong and Coutinho killed off the game with a clever 87th minute free-kick under the wall before firing in the shot Dunk diverted past Ryan a minute later.

Brighton (4-4-2): Ryan 6; Saltor 5 (Schelotto 77), Duffy 7, Dunk 6, Bong 6; Knockaert 6 (March 70,6), Stephens 5, Propper 5, Brown 7 (Izquierdo 70,6); Gross 6, Murray 5.

Subs not used: Krul, Kayal, Hemed, Goldson.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet 7; Alexander-Arnold 6, Can 7, Lovren 6, Robertson 7; Milner 7, Henderson 6 (Grujic 90), Wijnaldum 7; Salah 7 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 79), Firmino 9 (Sturridge 88), Coutinho 8.

Subs not used: Karius, Klavan, Mane, Solanke

Referee: Graham Scott