Trossard hat-trick earns Brighton hard-fought draw at Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, England : A hat-trick from Belgian forward Leandro Trossard earned Brighton & Hove Albion a worthy point in an exhilarating 3-3 draw with Premier League title-chasing Liverpool on Saturday.

Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge could not have got off to a better start as two well-taken goals from Trossard gave the visitors a 2-0 lead by the 17 minute mark at a stunned Anfield.

Home supporters grew more frustrated as the hosts struggled to create openings, before Roberto Firmino's goal, which was initially ruled out for offside against Mohamed Salah only to be overturned by VAR, gave his side a 33rd-minute lifeline.

Brighton caused Liverpool more problems early in the second half, but their wastefulness at key moments proved costly as Firmino levelled with his fifth league goal of the campaign - as many as he managed in the entirety of last season.

Liverpool completed the turnaround and appeared to be on course for a crucial victory after their slow start to the season when Brighton's Adam Webster put the ball in his own net in the 63rd minute.

But Trossard was not done yet, completing his treble seven minutes from time and ensuring Brighton left Merseyside with the point they deserved, a draw that keeps them fourth in the standings, four points ahead of Liverpool in ninth.

Liverpool came into the match under pressure to get a busy October off to a positive start, with leaders Arsenal 12 points clear of Klopp's team prior to kick off against high-flying Brighton.

Their chances of bringing the Premier League trophy back to Anfield for the second time under the German coach looked to be a distant dream as Brighton took control in the Merseyside sunshine.

Firstly, Danny Welbeck flicked the ball through