Liverpool made it 20 Premier League games unbeaten but were left frustrated after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield.
First-half goals from Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane – his first ever strike against the Seagulls – were cancelled out by Enock Mwepu and Leandro Trossard.
With Chelsea claiming a dominant win over Newcastle United, Jurgen Klopp’s men slipped three points off the pace at the summit.
The only negative in a bright start for the Reds was losing Naby Keita to injury after just 20 minutes. The Guinean appeared to be suffering from the same problem sustained in the incident that saw Paul Pogba sent off during last week’s 5-0 win at Manchester United.
Graham Potter’s side were ultimately well worth their point and brushed off their 4-1 defeat at Manchester City last time out with a spirited showing on Merseyside.
After an early scare when Alisson Becker had to save well from Solly March, the hosts took the lead in the fourth minute when Mohamed Salah cut the ball back to Henderson on the edge of the penalty area and the Reds skipper swept expertly past Robert Sanchez.
Yves Bissouma forced Alisson to turn his fierce shot onto the post, before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – who came on for the injured Keita – put in an inch-perfect cross for Mane to head in.
The visitors were fortunate not to go 3-0 down in the 34th minute when Sanchez hit his clearance against Mane, but the b
