LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Curtis Jones broke the deadlock just before halftime and Dominik Szoboszlai added a second-half stunner as Liverpool cruised into the next round of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. Mohamed Salah's 68th-minute penalty put the result beyond doubt, sending the home faithful into raptures on a night when efficiency trumped possession.
The opening exchanges belonged to Brighton, who controlled the tempo and probed Liverpool's backline with purpose. The Seagulls' possession-based approach saw them edge the territorial battle at 53.3%, but clear-cut chances remained elusive as Alisson Becker stood relatively untroubled in the Liverpool goal. The visitors managed 17 attempts throughout the contest, yet only three truly tested the Brazilian shot-stopper—a damning statistic that would ultimately define their evening.
Liverpool's breakthrough arrived in the 42nd minute through Jones, who reacted quickest to prod home from very close range after Milos Kerkez's cross caused havoc in the Brighton box. The goal rewarded the Reds' patience and clinical edge, qualities Brighton sorely lacked despite their territorial dominance. Kerkez himself had come close three minutes earlier, forcing Jason Steele into a smart save at the top center of his goal after linking up with Alexis Mac Allister down the left flank.
The second half began with Brighton desperately seeking a route back into the contest, but Liverpool's defensive organization remained resolute. Ibrahima Konaté and his defensive partners dealt comfortably with Charalampos Kostoulas and the Seagulls' attacking forays, while Alexis Mac Allister patrolled the midfield with authority against his former employers.
Szoboszlai delivered the knockout blow in the 56th minute with a magnificent strike from the center of the box that arrowed into the top left corner. Salah's vision unlocked the Brighton defense, threading a perfectly weighted pass that the Hungarian midfielder dispatched with clinical precision. The goal showcased Liverpool's devastating counter-attacking prowess and left Brighton's hopes hanging by a thread.
Those hopes were extinguished twelve minutes later when Salah stepped up to convert a penalty after Pascal Groß fouled the Egyptian inside the area. The Brighton midfielder's challenge was clumsy and unnecessary, and Salah made no mistake, firing his left-footed effort into the top right corner beyond Steele's despairing dive. Jan Paul van Hecke received a yellow card moments earlier as Brighton's frustration boiled over.
The statistics painted a curious picture of the encounter. Brighton's 17 shots dwarfed Liverpool's 13, yet the Reds managed five efforts on target compared to the visitors' meager three. Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood, and Carlos Baleba toiled in midfield for Brighton, but their industry failed to translate into genuine scoring opportunities. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was called upon to make three saves, including a routine stop from Kaoru Mitoma's 87th-minute effort, while Steele at the other end could only manage two stops despite facing fewer attempts.
The foul count reflected Brighton's growing desperation, with the visitors committing 19 infractions compared to Liverpool's 15. Four yellow cards were brandished toward Brighton players as their discipline crumbled in the face of Liverpool's efficiency. The Seagulls won seven corners to Liverpool's five, yet failed to capitalize on any of their set-piece opportunities, with Lewis Dunk and company unable to trouble Alisson from dead-ball situations.
Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo provided width and menace for Liverpool, stretching Brighton's defense and creating space for the central attackers to exploit. Curtis Jones' tireless running in midfield alongside Dominik Szoboszlai gave Liverpool control when it mattered most, even as Brighton enjoyed more of the ball. The home side's ability to absorb pressure and strike with ruthless precision proved the difference between two sides heading in opposite directions.
Late substitutions saw Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni introduced for Liverpool, giving the youngsters valuable minutes in a comfortable victory. Brighton boss threw on Georginio Rutter, Yankuba Minteh, and Mats Wieffer in search of a consolation, but Liverpool's defensive shape remained intact through five minutes of added time.
The victory extends Liverpool's momentum after recent mixed results, while Brighton must quickly regroup from this cup disappointment. The Seagulls dominated possession and created more attempts, yet football's cruel reality is that chances mean nothing without conversion—a lesson Brighton learned painfully under the Anfield lights.