Liverpool secured a top-four spot with very little fuss as Mohamed Salah’s new Premier League goalscoring record paved the way for a 4-0 victory over Brighton.

The Egypt international’s 32nd league goal – his 44th in all competitions – took him past the tally for a 38-match season that Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez all registered.

Dejan Lovren’s powerful header and first goals for the club by Dominic Solanke and Andrew Robertson added more gloss to the result as Jurgen Klopp’s side retained their Champions League status for next season, finishing fourth in the table.

(PA Graphics)

Tweet of the match

Star man – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah's goal took him to 44 in all competitions this season (Dave Thompson/PA).
Mohamed Salah’s goal took him to 44 in all competitions this season (Dave Thompson/PA).

As well as netting his historic strike in the 26th minute, the Egypt star appeared unlucky not to win a penalty, had a shot cleared off the line and provided the assist for Solanke’s goal on the day it was announced he had added the Premier League’s player of the year award to his PFA and FWA gongs.

Moment of the match

Salah moved past Shearer, Ronaldo and Suarez in the record books with a low left-footed shot past Mathew Ryan into the corner of the net after receiving the ball from Solanke.

View from the bench

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have finished fourth in the table (Dave Thompson/PA).
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have finished fourth in the table (Dave Thompson/PA).

This was certainly a pleasing afternoon for Liverpool boss Klopp two weeks out from the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev. It will not have been too enjoyable for his opposite number Chris Hughton, but the cries of “we are staying up” from Brighton fans after the final whistle served as a reminder, if any was needed, that the 15th-placed Seagulls have had a fine season.

Ratings

Liverpool: Loris Karius 6 (out of 10), Trent Alexander-Arnold 7, Dejan Lovren 7, Virgil van Dijk 6, Andrew Robertson 7, Jordan Henderson 7, Georginio Wijnaldum 7, Sadio Mane 7, Mohamed Salah 8, Roberto Firmino 7, Dominic Solanke 7. Subs: Adam Lallana (for Mane, 74) 6, Danny Ings (for Firmino, 84) 5, Ben Woodburn (for Salah, 84) 5.

Brighton: Mathew Ryan 6, Ezequiel Schelotto 5, Shane Duffy 5, Lewis Dunk 5, Gaetan Bong 5, Dale Stephens 5, Beram Kayal 5, Davy Propper 5, Anthony Knockaert 5, Jurgen Locadia 5, Solly March 5. Subs: Glenn Murray (for Locadia, 57) 5, Pascal Gross (for Kayal, 57) 5, Connor Goldson (for Duffy, 71) 5.

Who’s up next?

Real Madrid v Liverpool (Champions League, May 26)