Liverpool, who played 68 games undefeated at Anfield, have now suffered back-to-back defeats in what for almost four years was their impregnable stronghold.
And the most recent setback, against modest Brighton, put the Reds’ attempt to revalidate the Premier League title in suspense.
As happened two weeks ago against Burnley, Liverpool fell 1-0 on Wednesday to a club struggling to avoid relegation.
Colombian Steven Alzate scored the difference in the 56th minute, his first goal in the Premier.
Brighton managed to maintain the minimum advantage, reaching four games in the league without conceding a goal since 13 January, when they fought but lost 1-0 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The team led by Jürgen Klopp fell seven points behind leader Manchester City, which has a game pending and has scored nine wins.
City will be the next team to visit Anfield on Sunday. A triumph by those led by Pep Guardiola could leave Liverpool with no real chances of crowning, with more than three months remaining in the campaign.
“The only explanation now is that we are a tired team,” justified the German Klopp, whose team has been plagued by injuries this season, decimating the rear in particular. “The City is flying high and we have to find solutions.”
Seeking to regain the title Liverpool snatched from them the previous season, the Citizens delivered another convincing performance, beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.
1of2Brighton players celebrate at the end of the Premier League match they won at home to Liverpool on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 (Phil Noble / Pool via AP)Phil Noble/APShow MoreShow Less 
2of2Ilkay Gundogan (right) and Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrate after a 2-0 win over Burnley in the English Premier League on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. (Gareth Copley / Pool via AP)Gareth Copley/APShow MoreShow Less
That win restored City’s three-point lead over Manchester United, which is second after crushing Southampton 9-0 on Tuesday. City have played one game less than United.
While City have conceded just two goals in 13 league games, Liverpool’s defensive woes continued as they try to overcome Virgil van Dijk’s absence, probably for the entire season.
Nor did it help that Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker missed the match against Brighton due to illness.
The title could soon escape Liverpool, which is also not guaranteed a place in the top four, which advance to the Champions League.
The Reds are in the fourth rung, but only two points ahead of West Ham, which is fifth after beating Aston Villa 3-1. Everton is two points behind in sixth place after beating Leeds 2-1.
Leicester overtook Liverpool in third place, thanks to a 2-0 win on their visit to Fulham.
CITY, LEADING AND GETTING STRONGER
With goals from Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling in the first half, City reestablished their three-point lead as the Premier League leaders, thanks to their ninth consecutive victory.
The victory at the visit to Burnley was the City’s 13th in a row in all competitions, dating back to Dec. 15.
To win their pending duel, those led by Guardiola could detach more from United.
Jesus headed in from an empty goal in the third minute, after Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope barely managed to shake off Bernardo Silva’s shot.
Sterling increased by finishing point-blank after a cross from Ilkay Gundogan in the 38th.
The visitors were not upset against the team that has scored the fewest goals in the Premier – only 13 – and wasted numerous chances to increase the score in the second half.
LEICESTER IN ZONA CHAMPIONS
James Maddison conceived the goals with which Leicester defeated Fulham 2-0 on the road, clinging to the qualifying spots for the next Champions League.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who played in place of injured forward Jamie Vardy, headed a cross from Maddison at 17 to sign his first goal of the season.
Shortly before the break, Maddison enabled James Justin for the second.
The result left Leicester five points behind City.