Liverpool continued their astonishing goalscoring form away from home after hitting five at Brighton to move into the top four for the first time since August.
Emre Can powered a header beyond Mat Ryan from Philippe Coutinho’s corner after half an hour and the Reds doubled their lead 79 seconds later following a sumptuous move.
Mohamed Salah drove at the Brighton defence and picked out Coutinho, who slid a left-footed cross to the back post for Roberto Firmino to finish efficiently.
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Brazil striker Firmino made it 3-0 after Salah’s brilliant assist before Glenn Murray, who had missed two great chances, beat Simon Mignolet with a penalty following Jordan Henderson’s foul on Shane Duffy.
Brighton had chances to make it more nervy for Liverpool with a second goal, but Coutinho eased any concerns about a repeat of Sevilla’s comeback from 3-0 down in the Champions League by scoring with a cute low free-kick then enticing Brighton defender Lewis Dunk to head into his own net.
Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their past five away games, while Jurgen Klopp’s side move above Arsenal, who host Manchester United at 17:30 GMT. Brighton drop to 11th in the table.
