Storm Liverpool crushes Brighton as Iraola claims first Anfield win

Within four minutes of the opening whistle at Anfield, Florian Wirtz’s £116 million strike, deflected off Pascal Gross, gave Liverpool the lead in a Premier League clash that saw Storm Liverpool overwhelm Brighton. The early breakthrough set the tone for a dominant first‑half performance that left the Seagulls scrambling.

Storm battering Merseyside

Purple wheelie bins toppled, a racing meet at nearby Aintree was abandoned and train timetables in and out of Lime Street were thrown into chaos as Storm Boelo battered Merseyside. The weather disruption added an extra layer of difficulty for both clubs and fans travelling to the match.

Early blitz shatters Brighton

Two goals in four first‑half minutes put the game beyond reach for Fabian Hurzeler’s admirable Brighton side and gave the Reds their fourth consecutive victory under Andoni Iraola. The quick double also marked Iraola’s first home win in the Premier League at Anfield.

Florian Wirtz, the £116 million signing, opened the scoring when his shot glanced off Pascal Gross and looped into the net, continuing what the report described as his finest fortnight in a Liverpool shirt.

Alexander Isak added a second, tapping in a pass from Bradley Barcola after the Frenchman’s effort had been deflected by Oliver Boscagli. The £248 million partnership had already combined at Brentford the previous week.

Brighton’s night of missed chances

Brighton’s Yasin Ayari saw a clear‑cut opportunity slip past Alisson after Pascal Gross squared the ball to him; his effort flew over the bar from ten yards. The Swedish midfielder’s miss followed a night of disrupted sleep, the storm keeping him awake in the team hotel.

‘They couldn’t, could they?’ rang out in pubs across the country as Brighton entered the weekend third in the league, having recorded four straight league wins by an aggregate 15‑0, including a thorough dismantling of champions Arsenal.

Iraola’s progress and upcoming tests

With two trips to leaders Manchester City looming – one in the Carabao Cup – and a high‑profile Old Trafford clash four weeks away, Iraola’s side now have a tangible benchmark for their development.

The big‑money signings are flourishing, the midfield muddle has disappeared and the Reds boast a long list of potential match‑winners in Isak, Barcola, Wirtz and others, while Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha wait in reserve. Report by Lewis Steele, Football, 25 October 2026.