Liverpool are unbeaten in 28 league games after scoring first, since losing 3-1 at Leicester in February 2021Liverpool cut Manchester City's lead to three points with victory at Brighton to extend their winning run to eight Premier League games.
Luis Diaz continued the fine start to his Liverpool career as he raced on to Joel Matip's superb pass and headed past the onrushing Robert Sanchez after 19 minutes.
The Brighton goalkeeper was fortunate not to receive any punishment as he clattered into the Colombian forward, whose celebrations were put on hold as he received treatment following the high challenge.
Mohamed Salah sealed the three points with a second-half penalty awarded after a handball by Yves Bissouma - with the Egypt forward's 20th strike of the campaign bringing up Liverpool's 2,000th Premier League goal.
It is a fifth successive defeat for Brighton, for whom Danny Welbeck went closest to scoring with two minutes remaining but Alisson produced a fine save to avoid any late complications.
Liverpool's victory maintains the pressure on title rivals Manchester City, who travel to Crystal Palace on Monday (20:00 GMT).
Diaz helps Liverpool maintain title push
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called for a response from his players at Amex Stadium, after they advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals despite defeat by Inter Milan on Tuesday, ending a 12-match winning run in all competitions.
They were initially made to work hard in this latest league win, which leaves them in striking range of City with 10 games remaining for both clubs.
The Reds asserted themselves after a threatening opening 10 minutes from the hosts, though they will feel their task could have been made easier as Sanchez escaped even a booking for his collision with Diaz.
Influential January addition Diaz once again impressed with driving runs and relentless pressing, his second goal for the club a just reward for his efforts - and bravery.
Salah, whose future at the club was once again a hot topic this week, was also denied at close range in the first half and hit the post in the second, before being withdrawn due to injury after 65 minutes.
But the 29-year-old's confidently despatched spot-kick - his 28th goal in all competitions this term - provided breathing space as Brighton produced an albeit fruitless late surge.
A promising season is threatening to unravel for Graham Potter's side, who have now scored once in six games during a dismal run which has seen their hopes of a top-half finish begin to fade.
While Brighton's fightback from two goals down to secure a point at Anfield in October could yet prove a crucial detail in an enthralling title race, there were ultimately no such problems on Saturday for quadruple-chasing Liverpool.
Klopp will await City's response on Monday, with only Arsenal and Watford to come for his side in the league before a meeting with their title rival at Etihad Stadium on 10 April.
Player of the match
DíazLuis Díaz
Line-ups
Brighton
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Sánchez
2Lamptey34Veltman5Dunk3Cucurella
17Alzate8Bissouma
20March10Mac Allister11Trossard
9Maupay
1Sánchez2Lamptey34Veltman5Dunk3Cucurella17AlzateSubstituted forLallanaat 45'minutesSubstituted forGroßat 53'minutes8BissoumaBooked at 55minsSubstituted forWelbeckat 66'minutes20March10Mac AllisterBooked at 75mins11Trossard9MaupayBooked at 81minsSubstitutes
12Mwepu13Groß14Lallana15Moder18Welbeck23Steele24Duffy38McGill42LeonardLiverpool
Formation 4-3-3
1Alisson
66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson
14Henderson3Fabinho8Keïta
11Salah10Mané23Díaz
1Alisson66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson14HendersonSubstituted forMilnerat 86'minutes3FabinhoBooked at 84mins8KeïtaSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 65'minutes11SalahSubstituted forJotaat 65'minutes10Mané23DíazSubstitutes
6Thiago Alcántara7Milner9Firmino12Gomez17Jones20Jota21Tsimikas62Kelleher67ElliottReferee:Mike DeanAttendance:31,474Live Text
Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Liverpool 2.
Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Liverpool 2.
Attempt missed. Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Leandro Trossard.
Attempt blocked. Danny Welbeck (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alexis Mac Allister.
Attempt missed. Joel Matip (Liverpool) header from the right side of the six yard box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Marc Cucurella.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Alisson.
Attempt saved. Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marc Cucurella.
Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Fabinho (Liverpool).
Attempt saved. Luis Díaz (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Thiago.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Alisson.
Attempt saved. Danny Welbeck (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Solly March with a cross.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Joel Matip.
Substitution, Liverpool. James Milner replaces Jordan Henderson.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
Fabinho (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Neal Maupay (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Fabinho (Liverpool).
Neal Maupay (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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