Liverpool opened up an 11 point lead over Manchester City in their chase for a maiden Premier League title with a 2-1 win over Brighton, though they didn’t have it all their own way.
Man City‘s draw with Newcastle United earlier in the day handed the Reds an opportunity to further extend their lead at the top of the table, and they looked to be comfortable after Virgil van Dijk put them 2-0 up inside the opening 24 minutes.
However, with Fabinho ruled out for the rest of 2019 with an ankle injury, Liverpool ‘keeper Alisson managed to get himself sent off – and ruled out of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby – after he handled the ball outside of the box. Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk netted from the resulting free-kick.
Down to 10 men, Jurgen Klopp’s side came under plenty of pressure in the closing stages, though managed to hold out for a crucial three points. That moves them 11 points clear of Man City, Leicester and Chelsea in second, third and fourth respectively, although the Foxes face an out-of-form Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking afterwards, Klopp insisted he isn’t focussing on his side’s extended lead at the top.
“It’s how it is. But if Leicester win tomorrow we are eight points,” the German told Match of the Day.
“We don’t think about these things. It was just to win this game.
“We have one more day between now and the next game so we have to use that and then we try again.”
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