Liverpool sail into FA Cup fifth round as Szoboszlai nets candidate for goal of the weekend
Liverpool advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield, a result that offered a welcome boost amid a testing league campaign. Curtis Jones opened the scoring late in the first half, Dominik Szoboszlai produced a spectacular second-half finish, and Mohamed Salah added a penalty to seal the win.
Clinical finish and moments of quality
The hosts began to impose themselves in the closing stages of an even first half, with Cody Gakpo seeing a headed effort correctly chalked off for offside before Curtis Jones powered home from a Milos Kerkez cross in the 42nd minute. Liverpool’s second — a flowing team move finished by Szoboszlai — arrived on 56 minutes and effectively killed the tie as a contest.
The goal arrived from a beautifully weighted diagonal from Mohamed Salah, who set Szoboszlai sprinting into space. Without taking a touch to compose himself, the midfielder lashed a rasping shot into the top corner that left the goalkeeper no chance, a strike that has already been spoken about as one of the best of the weekend’s FA Cup action.
Salah later converted a penalty in the 68th minute after sustained pressure, and a late Rio Ngumoha finish was ruled out for offside. The result delivered back-to-back clean sheets for Liverpool for the first time since mid-December, a defensive bright spot as the club manages competing demands across competitions.
Selection, context and Cup priorities
Manager Arne Slot opted for a strong side at Anfield, choosing not to significantly rotate and leaving only a couple of fringe players on the bench. That cautious approach underlines how the FA Cup has gained prominence for Liverpool this season as one of the clearest routes to silverware while their title defence in the league has faltered.
The victory ensures Liverpool progress to the fifth round for only the fourth time in the past 11 seasons, a reminder that domestic cup success has been sporadic in recent years. The manager will be encouraged by the balance shown: cutting through Brighton’s organised structure with moments of individual brilliance and cohesive team play.
Mohamed Salah’s contribution — a goal and an assist — was among the most eye-catching elements of the game and suggested the forward is returning to a sharper vein of form following international duty. Likewise, Szoboszlai’s display provided both a moment of sheer quality and a broader tactical statement: Liverpool can craft decisive chances from patient build-up and precise passing.
What it means moving forward
Progress in the FA Cup gives Liverpool a tangible objective to rally around, with confidence restored by a convincing cup performance at Anfield. For Brighton, the defeat marks another exit from knockout competition this season, and attention will quickly turn back to the league where consistency remains the priority.
For Liverpool supporters, the result offers optimism. The clean sheet, the goal-of-the-weekend contender and the return of key attacking players to form combine to make this weekend’s FA Cup outing a positive chapter. With the fifth round to come, the club can now focus on balancing domestic commitments while chasing multiple targets in the latter stages of the campaign.
