PREM: Liverpool 1-0 Brighton

Willy Boly is mobbed by team-mates after scoring the opening goal of the game

Mohamed Salah's 23rd-minute strike proved to be the difference as Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield.

Salah scored the only goal of the game - his 29th in 29 appearances for Liverpool at Anfield in all competitions - side-footing a first-time effort past Mat Ryan in the first half.

Jurgen Klopp's side were far from their best and they had Alisson to thank late on when he pushed Pascal Gross' header past the post, but they held to maintain a 16-month undefeated league run at home and secure their best start to a Premier League season in five years.

Brighton were trying to stay compact but they were struggling to keep the hosts at bay. Roberto Firmino made an excellent run to the near post to meet Andrew Robertson's cross. The Brazil international made good contact with his header but he could not beat Ryan, who clawed the ball away from goal.

The hosts continued to pile the pressure on and Trent Alexander-Arnold was the next to go close, clipping the crossbar with a free-kick and they finally made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute through Salah after Yves Bissouma lost possession 15 yards outside his own area.

The hosts quickly sprang into action as James Milner picked out Firmino and the Brazilian laid the ball off for Salah, who produced a clinical finish to pick out the bottom corner via the inside of the post.

Brighton almost snatched an equaliser early in the second half. Glenn Murray bundled his way into the penalty area and his cross was cleared only as far as Anthony Knockaert, who sliced his shot wide of the far post.

Liverpool were struggling for rhythm but they nearly grabbed a second when Shane Duffy almost turned Robertson's cross past his own goalkeeper, while Alexander-Arnold had an opportunity to wrap up victory five minutes from time but his left-footed shot was deflected wide.

Alisson was then called into action, producing a vital save as he parried wide Gross' header to ensure he became only the third Liverpool goalkeeper in the last 51 seasons alongside Bruce Grobbelaar, Pepe Reina and Simon Mignolet (twice) to keep a clean sheet in the first three league matches of a campaign.