liverpool vs brighton — Salah, Szoboszlai and Jones propel Liverpool into FA Cup fifth round
Liverpool produced a composed display at Anfield to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 and move into the fifth round of the FA Cup. Curtis Jones opened the scoring before a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai strike and a Mohamed Salah penalty wrapped up a comfortable victory for the hosts.
First-half breakthrough as Liverpool seize control
The tie was tightly contested in the opening stages, with Brighton showing confidence on the ball and probing Liverpool's defence. While the visitors had some promising moments, they failed to convert pressure into real danger for Alisson in the Liverpool goal. The Reds grew into the game and were finally rewarded just before half-time.
The decisive move stemmed from pressure on the Brighton defence that culminated in a low cross into the six-yard box. Curtis Jones arrived unmarked and tucked the ball home the underside of the crossbar to give the hosts the lead. The goal sparked a brief Brighton response — a headed chance squandered at close range — and a late first-half one-on-one that was kept out by Liverpool's goalkeeper, preserving the visitors’ inability to find the net.
Second-half quality: Szoboszlai brilliance and Salah composure
Liverpool began the second half with greater authority. Dominik Szoboszlai added the gloss with a spectacular strike that emphasised his growing influence in the attacking third. The goal extended Liverpool's control and shifted the tie firmly in their favour.
Mohamed Salah, returning to form, combined industry and craft. He supplied a probing pass that helped unlock Brighton on the flank and later coolly converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-0. The Egypt international’s all-round contribution — creating chances, tracking back and stepping up from the spot — underlined why he remains central to Liverpool’s attacking threat.
Brighton thought they had a late consolation when a substitute finished at the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside, denying the visitors any late reprieve and ensuring Liverpool progressed without panic.
Implications for both clubs
For Liverpool, the result is a confidence-boosting cup win that showcases squad depth and tactical flexibility. The manager rotated selectively, keeping players such as Hugo Ekitiké and Ryan Gravenberch on the bench, and praised the physical and defensive work rate from his forwards and midfielders. The performance suggested the team can sustain intensity across multiple competitions as the calendar becomes more congested.
Brighton remain a team comfortable in possession and willing to press, but a persistent lack of cutting edge proved costly. The visitors left Anfield without a goal for the third game in succession, a trend that will demand attention as they seek to arrest a run of disappointing results. There were encouraging signs in their build-up play, yet finishing and final-third composure must improve if they are to avoid mounting pressure on the coaching staff.
Liverpool now head into the fifth round with momentum and clearer attacking options, while Brighton return home facing questions about their ability to convert possession into goals. The tie provided a neat snapshot of both teams’ current trajectories: Liverpool sharpening into form, Brighton still searching for a reliable end product.
