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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said energy and intensity was the key to beating Liverpool at the Amex Stadium as Arne Slot's side was handed another blow in the race to finish inside the Champions League spots.
Danny Welbeck scored twice on the south coast to condemn the Reds to a seventh defeat in the Premier League this season. After Manchester United drew at Bournemouth, Liverpool couldn't close the gap. Chelsea and Aston Villa play later this weekend.
"The intensity we brought on the pitch was key today," Hurzeler said on TNT Sports. "We pressed intense. We played intense. We brought a lot of energy onto the pitch.
"We created a lot of chances in the second half. I was pleased how everyone played and tried to outwork and outrun the opponent."
Jeremie Frimpong and Ibrahima Konate were among those to struggle for Liverpool, with the Reds missing key man like Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah in attack.
"It was a great performance, and especially the second half, we played really good football," Hurzeler told BBC Match of the Day.
"We created a lot of chances, we defended well so overall I was really pleased with how the team played. I was pleased with the support from the crowd, incredible energy here at home.
"That's what we want to create, we want to create a place where nobody wants to go. We want to build a place where we can build the togetherness and we are in a good way.
"There wasn't a change. I think it was just us managing the key moments of the game better. It was another great example today.
"We scored a goal, we conceded a goal but we kept playing, we kept sticking to our principles and playing to high standards. That was pleasing to watch."
The former Liverpool midfielder James Milner was an impressive performer in the center of the field and Hurzeler picked out his experience as a decisive factor as well.
"You could see it today that Minteh, through the last weeks, got effected from the behaviour of experienced players," the German said.
"What they demand from others on the pitch and how they lead by their performance and being mature and intense. The younger players see it and they have to do it as well and that's how a team works.
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"I can use the experience week by week by using them as great role models and that was another great example today with James Milner."
With its victory, Brighton is now only six points behind Liverpool in the standings. Hurzeler, though, is not putting too much expectation on the remaining seven games of the campaign.
"It is important to understand why we are where we are," he said. "We worked hard, we kept doing the right things, we created a good togetherness on and off the pitch.
"Now it is about staying humble, going game by game and playing every game like it is a final and we will see what happens."
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