Liverpool produced one of their most complete domestic performances of the season to sweep Brighton aside 3-0 at Anfield and book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Brighton, who had arrived on Merseyside buoyed by a fine third-round victory at Old Trafford, started with intent and controlled much of the early possession. Fabian Hürzeler’s side moved the ball confidently out from the back and had the better of the opening exchanges, enjoying 53 per cent of possession across the match and registering 17 shot attempts to Liverpool’s 13.
But possession without penetration is a familiar Brighton frustration, and Liverpool’s pressing — so devastating last season, yet seen only in flashes this term — was back to its sharpest. The home side gradually tightened their grip on the game and struck just before half-time. Curtis Jones, deployed at right-back due to Liverpool’s injury problems in that position, ghosted into the six-yard box to cleverly divert Milos Kerkez’s cross into the roof of the net. It was Jones’s first goal in over a year, ending a run of 57 matches without scoring, and it came on his first start in six games. The Toxteth-born academy graduate, whose future had been the subject of speculation following interest from Inter Milan last month, could hardly have timed it better.
The second half belonged entirely to Liverpool. Dominik Szoboszlai doubled the lead on 56 minutes with a composed finish that continued his impressive recent run of form. Arne Slot afterwards described the Hungarian as a potential future captain. Mohamed Salah then sealed it from the penalty spot on 68 minutes, striking confidently before thumping the Liverpool crest on his chest in front of the Kop — a gesture rarely seen this season following his pre-Christmas fall-out with Slot before the Africa Cup of Nations. At 33, and with the club already planning for the post-Salah era, it was a reminder of what he still brings.
For Brighton, the result extends a miserable run — three defeats and two draws in their last five matches across all competitions — and increases the pressure on Hürzeler. The German admitted his side started well but said the game changed when they conceded. It is a recurring theme: Brighton create volume without converting it into results.
Liverpool, stung by last year’s embarrassing FA Cup exit to Plymouth, took no chances this time. Slot named nine first-choice players despite a midweek win at Sunderland, and the performance suggested the Reds are determined to build a cup run to salvage a season that has stuttered in the league.
