Three points ahead; Back to the three-point difference. And the world's premier staring competition continues. Blinking is strictly prohibited. Mohamed Salah was the focus when his agent, Rami Abbas Issa, responded to Jurgen Klopp's comments about a contract extension by posting seven laughing emojis on the way to 2022. But the Egyptian was not deterred as his heavy penalty from the second half registered his eighth consecutive league win.
And Luis Diaz once again shows why, should the worst happen, life can go on. His pace of adjustment in the Premier League has been remarkable; To say that he has run on the field would be like describing Usain Bolt as a jogger. In his first league appearance away from Anfield, Diaz flicked, kicked, turned and swung to the ground. Each time he stood up after beating Robert Sanchez valiantly on the ball to advance Liverpool.
The Brighton Demobs are unhappy. They are neither upwards nor downwards mobile this season, with it - their fifth consecutive defeat - for their worst Premier League run. Home discomfort has seen them win just one out of 11, but when it once again pounced on full time, their target was referee Mike Dean. In fact, they were born out of despair. If anything, the hosts must have had a man down.
With Liverpool competing for several trophies, Klopp has to manage his side like a rotisserie, carefully changing his squad to ensure the right level of "done". A change from last weekend's hard-fought win over West Ham saw the return of February's player of the month, Joel Matip. Not only is Matip sure of the defense, but his scintillating runs have become a trademark. Few defenders in the division work so well in the last third, and with them - and literally Liverpool's - first venture came forward.
Running down Diaz's diagonal from left to right, Sanchez was a second late and left his opponent. The celebrations were initially silent, a red card was looted. VAR suggested Dean just chat with Sanchez; Punishment which is not in conformity with the offence. Unable to celebrate by pointing up at the sky in honor of her late grandmother, as is the norm, Diaz received a warm hug from Klopp.
This put Liverpool to sleep. Salah volleyed over before forcing a save for Sanchez after circling the ground at a break. He almost scored when a deflection from Lewis Dunk's calf hit the bar and should have done better when he dragged wide after Diaz's rise. But when Sadio Mane fired a volley against Yves Bisouma's trapped arm, Salah converted from the spot to score his 20th Premier League goal of the season and Liverpool's 2,000th goal in the competition.
By the time they turned back, Brighton were brave, walking around in a yellow and blue bandage, which they wore to show solidarity with Ukraine. Even the rare sight of Fabinho was slightly exposed by the neat triangles around him. Neil Maupay dazzled Alison with a scrum on an early 20-yard run but the goal left him flat.
Leandro Trossard's head was right in his hands after going anywhere with a level chance within a minute of the restart, but Alisson's 15th clean sheet of the season was not in question until He didn't shock the late Danny Welbeck. Sadly, the introduction of Adam Lallana as a half-time substitute against his former club lasted a full five minutes. Klopp, who had previously described him as a club legend, showed concern.
For Brighton manager, Graham Potter, a previous issue that was resolved for a time has reared its head again: possession - of which they usually have a lot - could form a substantial part of the law. but provides little if not accompanied by a target. With one in five, they have dried up.
His next game for Liverpool is at hand: a trip to Arsenal, whose soft underbelly has been replaced by snoring and biting. But greatness would not be imposed on Klopp's men; They have to get it.