….Liverpool 2-0 Brighton…

LONDON-(MaraviPost)-Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has highlighted commitment, patience and steady improvement as key takeaways following his side’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday.

A brace from Hugo Ekitike ensured all three points for the Reds and extended their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.

The French forward wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring inside the first minute before completing his double with a well-timed header from a Mohamed Salah corner midway through the second half.

Slot described the win as a reward for hard work rather than a sudden transformation, brushing aside claims that Liverpool only looked defensively solid because of the clean sheet.

He noted that recent performances had already shown improvement, pointing out that three shutouts in the last five matches offer something tangible to build on after earlier defensive setbacks.

Much of the post-match attention focused on Salah, who returned to the squad after missing the previous outing.

Introduced as Slot’s first substitution, the Egyptian winger made an immediate impact, providing creativity, energy and an assist.

The Liverpool boss insisted that actions on the pitch mattered more than off-field discussions, praising Salah for delivering the kind of performance supporters expect.

Slot also played down suggestions of lingering issues between himself and Salah, stressing that the forward is treated no differently from any other member of the squad.

According to the Dutch coach, internal conversations remain private and selection decisions are made purely on footballing needs.

Salah’s gesture of applauding supporters at full-time was also addressed with Slot emphasizing that the appreciation was collective.

He said the players owed the fans gratitude after a demanding display that required both effort and a slice of fortune to preserve the clean sheet.

Looking ahead, Slot acknowledged the challenge of coping without Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations but welcomed the upcoming schedule, which offers valuable recovery time between fixtures. He remains hopeful the winger will return in good form after the tournament.

Ekitike’s early substitution late in the game was explained as a precaution, with Slot revealing the striker was suffering from cramp.

The coach praised the youngster’s rapid adaptation to the Premier League’s intensity, noting clear progress compared to the start of the season.

Slot concluded by expressing satisfaction with the development of Liverpool’s summer signings, many of whom are still adjusting to the physical and tactical demands of English football.

With confidence growing and performances stabilizing, the Reds appear to be finding momentum at a crucial stage of the campaign.

The Maravi Post