Liverpool picked up maximum points with a 5-1 win over Brighton.

A changed Reds side raced to a commanding first-half lead with Emre Can and Roberto Firmino scoring two goals in as many minutes at the Amex Stadium.

Firmino doubled his tally after the break with a composed finish from a counter attack but the Seagulls were handed a lifeline with a penalty awarded against Can.

Glenn Murray dispatching from the spot, however their hopes were short-lived as a brilliant Philippe Coutinho free kick and Lewis Dunk’s own goal rounding off the Reds’ win.

Here were the key talking points from the South Coast:

Magic back in Coutinho’s cleats

 

After a two goals in as many minutes livened up an otherwise docile opening half-hour at the Amex, Philippe Coutinho tore Brighton to shreds.

The Brazilian was central to Liverpool’s build-up play, almost bagging a hat trick of assists when he almost found Mo Salah with a slide pass through a Seagulls back line that was all at sea.

He also stung the palms of the Brighton ‘keeper Mathew Ryan with a teasing 20-yards effort before finally earning his reward with a clever free kick late on.

Rolling the ball under the hosts’ jumping wall showed a level of guile which rounded off a superb individual performance that proved Coutinho is back.

Salah isn’t always the answer

 

For all the focus on Salah this season, Robert Firmino provided a timely reminder of his abilities in taking his tally for the season to ten goals and six assists.

His clinical finishing in front of goal for Liverpool’s second and third goals of the day turned this into a relatively comfortable day at the office for the visitors.

Throughout the game he showed great willing and anticipation, epitomised by counter attack from a Brighton corner that ended with him firing past Ryan.

Salah may continue to steal the headlines as the top scorer for Jurgen Klopp’s side but Firmino’s influence on the Reds similarly cannot be understated.

Reds’ rotation risk worked.. today

 

Playing with a back three that comprised of Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can playing either side of Dejan Lovren, Liverpool were forced to reshuffle their pack.

It was a calculated risk by Klopp to deploy Wijnaldum in defence; a necessary evil with Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip all afflicted by injury.

The continued brilliance of Liverpool’s forward line coupled with the paucity of Brighton’s own attacking options ensured that it paid off handsomely.

However this should not be cause to abandon looking at defensive additions in January as for the first half-hour, they occasionally unsettled Liverpool.

Not every opponent will be as profligate as Chris Hughton’s newcomers.

Lovren responds to defensive crisis

 

The pressure was already on Lovren before taking into account his status as Liverpool’s only recognised centre-back that was fully available at the Amex.

But the Croatia international turned in a convincing display, marshalling Can and Wijnaldum either side of him and comfortably handling the threat of Glenn Murray.

He could not have wished for an easier task as Brighton’s threats emerged down the flanks, where Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson were given minor headaches.

There will be bigger tests but with three out of his side’s four centre-backs missing, it was important that Klopp’s only definitive option turned in a solid performance.

Lovren certainly did that.