Arne Slot’s Liverpool went into half-time of their Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion in the stronger position after Hugo Ekitike’s early strike proved the difference. However, Anfield was left frustrated as Diego Gomez avoided a red card following a late first-half incident. The Premier League has since issued a statement clarifying the decision.
Needing a statement win after a difficult couple of months, the reigning champions started brightly. Ekitike, once again preferred to £125 million signing Alexander Isak, capitalised on poor Brighton defending and calmly finished past Bart Verbruggen.
The goal brought visible relief around Anfield, including for Slot, but many felt Brighton should have been reduced to ten men before the interval. Gomez’s collision with Florian Wirtz resulted in only a yellow card, much to the anger of the home supporters.
With seconds remaining in the half, Gomez—energetic and eager to regain possession—overcommitted in his challenge on Wirtz. Liverpool fans were incensed as the 22-year-old escaped further punishment despite Wirtz being left in clear discomfort.
In a post on X, the Premier League Match Centre confirmed that VAR reviewed the incident and upheld the referee’s decision, ruling that the challenge did not constitute serious foul play as it lacked excessive force.
“The referee’s call of yellow card to Gomez was checked and confirmed by VAR,” the statement read.
Gomez, signed from Inter Miami, was fortunate in the eyes of many. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chris Sutton criticised the tackle, calling it “really high and dangerous,” and suggested that on another day it could easily have resulted in a red card.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah—widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats—was named on the bench after missing Liverpool’s midweek clash with Inter Milan following his controversial interview. Salah had publicly expressed his frustration at being left out, saying he felt “very disappointed” and believed the club had “thrown [him] under the bus,” which led to his omission from the Champions League trip to Italy.
Salah’s return to action came swiftly, however, as he was introduced before the half-hour mark in place of Gomez. The Anfield crowd made their feelings clear, rising to applaud the 33-year-old and giving him a warm, emphatic reception as he stepped onto the pitch
