But by the final whistle, the many Reds fans among those who inhabit the media seats were relieved that their favourites had hung on to three points. And there was even a bit of praise, however grudging, for Graham Potter’s men.
A former colleague of this columnist, for example, David Maddock of the Mirror, wrote, “Liverpool opened the gap at the top of the Premier League to an astonishing 11 points, thanks to their goalscoring hero Virgil van Dijk.
“But it was far from plain sailing for Jurgen Klopp’s side as Alisson was dismissed 13 minutes from time as he raced out of his goal, and handled beyond the penalty area, to deny visiting sub Leoandro Trossard.
“The blatant handball left referee Martin Atkinson with no option but to dismiss he Brazilian keeper, and that left the Reds clinging on grimly when Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk scored from the resulting free kick.
“Brighton actually played some decent football in the first half, especially when they went behind, and it’s easy to see why Graham Potter carries the confidence of his club, and was awarded a new contract so quickly - with so many managers under pressure in the Premier League, an English one who plays attractive football under pressure is an attractive proposition.
“But the set piece weakness displayed at Anfield did undermine their ability to frustrate Liverpool and actually put the home side under pressure. If they’re not careful, it could pitch them worryingly close to the relegation zone.”
Neil Johnston echoed his thoughts on the BBC Sport website: “Brighton slipped to 15th in the table after a third straight defeat, but there are grounds for optimism before a busy December programme after a spirited second-half performance,” he wrote.
“In a week which saw Seagulls boss Graham Potter extend his contract to 2025, his side gave the leaders a real scare even before the hosts were reduced to 10 men.
“Dunk went close from a Pascal Gross corner before popping up with his second goal in as many games, while teenage forward Aaron Connolly also showed flashes of real promise.
“With his side trailing 2-0, the 19-year-old managed to create space for himself inside Liverpool's penalty area and test Alisson despite close attention from Dejan Lovren and Van Dijk.
“One worry for Brighton is their defending from set-pieces as Van Dijk was allowed to dominate the aerial duels.”
Somehow you imagine that Albion will not be the last team to concede goals to Van Dijk’s aerial prowess.
John Wardle in the Sunday Telegraph noted that “Alisson Becker’s late rush of blood, and the red card that followed, made Liverpool’s latest step towards a first league title in 30 years far more dramatic and difficult than it should have been.
“Liverpool’s Brazilian keeper raced unnecessarily from his area after 76 minutes and handled Leandro Trossard’s attempted lob.
“Replacement Adrian took his place and was instantly picking the ball out of his net as Lewis Dunk took advantage of a disorganised wall and unprepared keeper and simply rolled the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
“Cue minor panic for the remainder of the match, especially when Aaron Mooy’s superb long-range strike forced Adrian into a fine diving block and, more so, when the keeper fumbled Pascal Gross’s meek header and almost allowed it over his line.
“'There was a lot of quality to our play at times,’ Graham Potter, the Brighton manager, said. ‘You could sense that Anfield had to get behind their team, so a big credit to our players for that.’
Ian Whittell, writing in the Sunday Times, spotted that the tide of the game had actually turned well before Alisson’s aberration.
“Ryan had already made three key saves to keep his side in contention, two from Roberto Firmino and another from Sadio Mane, as the league leaders aimed to open up a double-digit lead at the top following Manchester City’s earlier draw at Newcastle.
“But, as the half progressed, there were moments of concern for a Liverpool side without a clean sheet in 11 games as Davy Propper was denied by Alisson and Dunk missed the target, when unmarked, from 12 yards out.”
John Hutchinson of The Sun took up the story.
“The Seagulls had an opportunity early in the second half when Dunk glanced a header across goal from a corner.
“Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp decided with 21 minutes remaining to give a rest to Salah, who has been troubled by an ankle injury in recent weeks, and replace him with Adam Lallana.
“The Egyptian did not look pleased with the decision as he brushed past Klopp on his way to the bench. He was soon followed by Firmino as Liverpool made another change.
“Those substitutions may have been made with the best intentions, but they left the Reds looking light in attack after Alisson's moment of madness changed the complexion of the game late on.
“Liverpool were still reorganising when Dunk caught them unawares with a clever low free-kick into the bottom corner. That left them needing to play out the final 10 minutes with 10 men but, despite Brighton pushing them back, they held on.
Andy Hunter of The Observer reported some details that others missed, such as the fact that “The entire crowd, Brighton supporters included, rose to their feet as ‘Justice for the 96’ echoed around Anfield for the first six minutes of the game.
“Liverpool eased off after the second goal, appearing content to conserve energy, and the nerves would have crept in earlier had Dunk converted one of two fine chances. The Brighton captain denied Van Dijk a hat-trick, in fairness, with a well-timed challenge as the defender shaped to convert and diverted an Oxlade-Chamberlain shot wide.
“One long ball over the top almost changed everything. Leandro Trossard beat Dejan Lovren in a foot race and, as the substitute attempted to lob the advancing Alisson, the Liverpool keeper handled yards outside his area.
“Despite a stirring finale from Brighton there would be no further punishment for Liverpool.
“Klopp blew a sigh of relief on the final whistle, although it could have been disbelief at 13 wins from 14 league games and a margin of error in the Premier League that suggests Liverpool’s 30-year wait for the title might end at a canter.”
And then cue rejoicing in that Anfield press box …