Graham Potter makes Aaron Connolly declaration after grumpy Liverpool substitution

Brighton's Aaron Connolly and Liverpool's Mo Salah were both hauled off against their will during Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium and both did little to hide their frustrations.

Connolly, 20, was replaced by Adam Lallana and had a face like thunder as he sat in the stands shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

Connolly played well during his intense 63 minute performance against the Premier League champions.

He pulled the makeshift Liverpool defence in all directions, won a penalty and worked well as part of a three-pronged attack with Danny Welbeck, Neal Maupay and then Leo Trossard.

But all that seemed to count for little as he left the pitch. Connolly is a fierce competitor, his team were 1-0 down and he missed a golden chance in the first half as he placed an effort wide when one-v-one with Liverpool keeper Alisson.

“Should be putting them away," Connolly later acknowledged on social media.

It was however Connolly's first start in the Premier League since Albion's loss at Everton on October 3 and his first start since sustaining a hamstring injury with Ireland during the previous international break.

“That’s Aaron," said Albion head coach Graham Potter when asked about his striker's reaction to being hooked.

"I think he was a little frustrated he missed his chance in the first half and he wanted to stay on.

“In the last three or four weeks he has had a bit of up and down stuff with his injury, with his hamstring.

"He missed some international games. He was running around such a lot.

“I thought he had a really impactful hour and it’s a decision to maybe err on the side of caution with him.

“We pushed Danny (Welbeck) a little bit higher up because Danny had gone a little bit deeper at that point.

“I thought Aaron was great. He did exactly what we wanted him to do.

“We wanted him to run in behind, test their back line and their defence and I thought he helped us do that, with him and Danny.

“His chance early in the game probably changed the dynamic of the game."

Potter is also mindful that Albion have six matches during December and Connolly will be required, especially as Neal Maupay hobbled off with a hamstring injury the first half.

Connolly's replacement Lallana is also a concern as he lasted just eight minutes against Liverpool before disappearing back down the tunnel.

Lallana had been struggling with a groin problem prior to the match and he and Maupay are doubts for Albion's next match against Southampton this Monday.

Potter added: “It’s my responsibility to look after their welfare and try to make the right decision for the individual for the team.

“I don’t make any apology about that.”

Connolly's solitary goal this season arrived in the 3-0 win at Newcastle last September but against Liverpool the Ireland international proved yet again just what a handful he is for top flight defenders.

His pace and direct running is always cause for concern and his ability to win freekicks and penalties makes him a very useful asset in the over-scrutinised and VAR-led world of Premier League football.

"He threatens the back line and he has got real pace," said Potter. “It means you are either opening up some space in the midfield or you are threatening the goal if you can get the delivery right.

“I thought we did that quite well."