Mohamed Salah downs Brighton as Liverpool capitalise on Manchester City hiccup to move top

Liverpool 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: Mohamed Salah's first-half strike proved to be the difference but the hosts were certainly made to work for the win

Three games, three wins. Seven goals scored, none conceded. Top of the league.

It all sounds so simple for Liverpool.

But it was far from that and it's fair to say Anfield was glad to hear the final whistle when it finally arrived.

Indeed, it took a superb leap to his left by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker to deny substitute Pascal Gross a Brighton equaliser with just a couple of minutes left on the clock. That's why you spend world record fees on keepers, of course.

The Brighton fans who had endured M6 chaos and no trains out of Euston to pack the away end got more than a run for their money.

This was not Liverpool at their electric, thrilling best. At times it was sloppy and disjointed, passes failing to find their mark, offering Brighton hope where there probably should have been none.

But it was nonetheless in the end that thing perhaps even more craved round these parts, the 1-0 win of a genuine title contender.

Perhaps three wins is no more than should have been expected from Liverpool after a Premier League schedule which has taken in a rebuilt West Ham, a tough but beatable Crystal Palace and a Brighton side so unsuccessful on their travels.

Mohamed Salah proved to be the difference in this game (AFP/Getty Images)

Yet it is difficult not to be positive about what is happening at Anfield. Klopp's side look like they will only get better too.

It has been Liverpool's tendency in the more frustrating years of their recent history to look gift horses in the mouth, to watch key rivals drop points only to fail to take advantage themselves.

This 2018 vintage may be rather different though. 'They've got a bit more about them' might be one early assessment.

Yes, it is early in the season, but make no mistake that Manchester City's hiccup earlier in the day at Molineux was a chance to be grasped here by Jurgen Klopp's side. Pep Guardiola's side won't drop many.

They did, though only just.

Brighton, buoyed by last week's sensational defeat of Manchester United last week, might have hoped to improve on an away record that is the worst in the Premier League since their return to the top flight.

Chris Hughton's side were diligent in their lines, with Dale Stephens and Yves Bissouma patrolling in front of their back four, and were keen to pass the ball when they had it.

That, though, can be a dangerous business at Anfield and when Bissouma dallied midway through the first period, James Milner appeared to put Liverpool on the attack.

Firmino fed Salah who delivered his trademark pass into the corner, via Matt Ryan's out-stretched hand. The Egyptian's 29th goal in 29 Anfield appearances - 'not too shabby' as his manager might say.

James Milner sees his cross from the right blocked (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The lead was no more than Liverpool deserved, having kept Ryan busy for most of the opening period.

We hadn't had five minutes when Salah teased on the right before squaring for Sadio Mane, whose low effort was just the wrong side of the post.

Anthony Knockaert, bringing up his century of league games with Brighton, almost responded instantly but his shot was too close to Alisson to overly concern the Liverpool goalkeeper.

But the traffic was mostly one-way.

Ryan needed to be at his best to deny Roberto Firmino - looking much closer to his best - as he met Andy Robertson's lovely curling cross with a dipping header while the Australian probably had Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick covered when he rattled the cross bar from the edge with a quarter of an hour gone.

Gini Wijnaldum warmed the Kop with some sensational skills in midfield before warming Ryan's palms once again with a shot on the turn a few minutes later.

Alisson's main danger in the first half was from Glenn Murray's pressure as the Brazilian pondered his next pass out from the back.

Perhaps he was just a little bored? Liverpool will have been a little disappointed to lead by just one at the break.

Sadio Mane attempts to get away from Yves Bissouma and Davy Proepper (Getty Images)

The second half started with music still playing loudly on the Anfield PA system and Brighton served swift notice they weren't about to go quietly either.

Knockaert fed Murray who bamboozled several defenders before finding a cross which eventually fell to the Frenchman once again. He shot wide when a goal looked more likely.

Liverpool weren't creating a lot: a tame Joe Gomez header and a low Firmino shot the only real chances to extend their advantage, though Shane Duffy almost continued Brighton's run of own goals against Liverpool when he turned Andy Robertson's cross just past his own post.

Henderson arrived for Keita as Klopp sought insurance but the Anfield nerves were jangling as the ball bobbed around Liverpool's area after a dangerous corner.

Alisson did little to settle them as he was almost caught with the ball at his feet but this is his modus operandi and the Liverpool keeper found a way out of trouble just as disaster beckoned.

Alexander-Arnold almost sealed it with five minutes left, his low shot deflected just wide, Firmino's flick from the resultant corner just lacking the power to get over the line.

Alisson did what he was bought for to deny Gross and maintain Liverpool's perfect start to the season.

They've now scored 20 Premier League goals without reply at Anfield. But sometimes just one is enough.