Liverpool race into lead as Brighton lose Ferdi Kadioglu to early injury

Brighton suffered an early setback against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday evening after defender Ferdi Kadioglu was forced off with an injury in the sixth minute.

Kadioglu was hurt following a challenge involving Ryan Gravenberch and was replaced by Costinha.

Liverpool quickly took control of the eighth-round Premier League fixture, with Florian Wirtz opening the scoring in the 17th minute.

Alexander Isak then doubled the hosts’ advantage four minutes later as Liverpool moved 2-0 ahead.

Brighton went into the match in third place, having taken 16 points from their opening seven league games. Their strong start had made them one of the standout teams in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool began the game in fifth position with 13 points.

Brighton had also scored more goals than any other side in the Premier League this season before the match, with their players having found the net 23 times.