Mohamed Salah’s goal proved the difference as Liverpool saw off Brighton.

The Seagulls travelled to Anfield on the back of a notable win over Manchester United but came unstuck against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Salah opened the scoring midway through the first half with a slotted first-time finish from a Roberto Firmino pass in a closely contested encounter.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Klopp backs a winning formula

 

Change can be good, except where Jurgen Klopp is concerned it seems.

The Liverpool manager stuck to the same starting line-up for a third consecutive match and extended his side’s current winning hand.

His side have not remained unchanged for such a lengthy period under the German since they completed a four-game run in May 2017.

A third successive victory over Brighton heralded their best start to a new season since 2013/14 with the potential to equal other modern-day records.

Another clean sheet against Leicester City next weekend would equal the previous shut-out record set in the 2005/06 campaign.

For the time being at least, Klopp does not appear to be for turning.

Another banana skin negotiated

 

Banana skins can, and will, befall Liverpool in their bid for greatness.

But the signs so far are that they are still negotiating them incredibly well.

West Ham were an unknown quantity after a summer of wholesale change while Monday’s trip to Selhurst Park was by no means a formality affair.

Brighton, too, posed dangers on the back of scalping Manchester Untied last weekend in a scoreline which largely flattered Jose Mourinho’s struggling side.

Although pinned back in their half for most of the opening 45 minutes, a fight-or-flight mentality kicked in after the break with more robust challenges.

It made for a few nervy moments as the Anfield crowd feared the inevitable, only for Klopp’s players to ultimately weather the storm against the Seagulls.

Gini becoming a midfield maestro

 

Liverpool’s midfield competition has been ramped up several notches this summer but Georgino Wijnaldum is continuing to justify his starting place.

An evergreen James Milner’s industry and Naby Keita’s impressive start to life on Merseyside will invariably steal focus from the Holland international.

But what Wijnaldum lacked in fanfare, he made up for with a quiet effectiveness that bridged the link between formidable defence and attack.

His holding role has become more defined over the summer while an act of ball-juggling through several Brighton players was not the sum of his exploits.

Matt Ryan found himself routinely tested by Wijnaldum in the visitors’ goal, notably when a back-heeled effort was cleared off the line by Shane Duffy.

Salah continues Reds home comforts

 

Wijnaldum’s previously barren run had failed to extend beyond home soil. Mohamed Salah may wonder if he is destined for a similar return this season.

Fresh from a largely low-key outing at Crystal Palace earlier this week, he returned to his free-scoring ways with his 34th league goal in 39 outings.

The Egyptian’s latest effort also marked his 29th strike in as many outings here, following on from an opening day salvo in a 4-0 rout over West Ham.

More pertinently, however, Salah’s slotted finish reflected Liverpool’s continued dominance at Anfield with 20 Premier League goals without reply.

It appears that home truly is where the heart is.