FA Cup: Liverpool 3-0 Brighton — Salah, Szoboszlai and Jones fire Reds into fifth round
Liverpool moved into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield. Curtis Jones opened the scoring late in the first half, Dominik Szoboszlai added a stunning strike after the interval and Mohamed Salah sealed the win from the penalty spot as the home side controlled large spells of the tie.
First-half breakthrough and Brighton's missed chances
The match was a slow burner before Liverpool found the opening. Brighton enjoyed the better of the early possession and pressed with confidence, but clear chances were scarce for the visitors. Liverpool grew into the game and pressure eventually told shortly before half-time.
A neat sequence on the left created the opener. A low cross was swept into the six-yard box and Jones arrived unmarked to side-foot the ball in the underside of the crossbar, giving the Reds a deserved lead. Brighton almost responded immediately when Jack Hinshelwood met a corner at the near post but headed wide from close range. In stoppage time a slip by Jones presented Diego Gómez with a one-on-one, only for Liverpool keeper Alisson to block the low shot with his legs, preserving the visitors' deficit at the break.
Second-half polish and Liverpool control
Liverpool intensified after the interval and extended their advantage when Szoboszlai produced a moment of quality. The midfielder collected possession in dangerous territory and unleashed a superb strike that left the goalkeeper with little chance. It was an emphatic goal that underlined his growing importance to the side this season.
Salah, rediscovering his rhythm since returning from international duty, combined creative and clinical moments. He supplied a delicate assist earlier in the second half and then slotted home from the penalty spot to make it 3-0, a finishing touch on a dominant evening. The Egypt international’s contributions were notable both in attack and in the defensive work he put in when out of possession.
Late in the tie Brighton thought they had a consolation when substitute Rio Ngumoha struck, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Had it stood, it might have given the visitors something to build on; instead the scoreline reflected Liverpool’s control from midway through the first half onwards.
What it means and reactions
The result moves Liverpool comfortably into round five and offers a boost to momentum and squad confidence. The victory showcased a blend of tactical discipline and individual moments of brilliance: Jones adapted well in a full-back role, Szoboszlai added a high-quality goal to his season tally, and Salah demonstrated renewed influence in the final third.
Brighton leave Anfield having shown encouraging possession and pressing but not enough cutting edge in the final third. The visitors remain without a goal for consecutive fixtures, a concern for their manager as he searches for solutions to unlock opposing defences.
For Liverpool, the win is a tidy cup progression and further evidence that several players are hitting a strong patch of form at the same time. The tie also highlighted depth across the squad and the ability to manage intensity across multiple competitions in close succession.
