Liverpool produced a commanding display to defeat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 at Anfield on Saturday, comfortably advancing to the fifth round of the FA Cup. Curtis Jones broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time with his first goal in over a year, ending a drought that had stretched across 57 matches since his strike against Leicester City in December 2024. Dominik Szoboszlai doubled the lead eleven minutes into the second half before Mohamed Salah converted a penalty to complete the scoring.
Jones's opening goal arrived at a pivotal moment, relieving growing pressure on a Liverpool side that had struggled to break down a well-organised Brighton defence in the first half. The midfielder's strike, a composed finish from close range, ended a personal barren run that had become a talking point among supporters and represented a significant confidence boost for the 25-year-old academy graduate who has battled for regular playing time this season.
Szoboszlai's goal in the 56th minute was the highlight of the afternoon, with Salah providing a sublime through ball that the Hungarian midfielder converted with a clinical first-time finish past the Brighton goalkeeper. The combination between the two attackers showcased the kind of fluid movement and sharp passing that has characterised Liverpool's best performances under Arne Slot this campaign, with Brighton unable to cope with the increased tempo after the interval.
Salah sealed the victory from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after a foul in the box, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make the result safe. The Egyptian forward's goal maintained his remarkable scoring record this season and ensured Liverpool could see out the remaining twenty minutes without anxiety. Brighton offered little threat going forward throughout the second half, with their attacking options blunted by an organised Liverpool defensive unit.
The convincing win provides Liverpool with a welcome morale boost as they continue to compete on multiple fronts this season. Arne Slot's side remain in contention for honours in the Premier League, Champions League, and now the FA Cup, with the depth of the squad allowing rotation without a noticeable drop in quality. For Brighton, the defeat brings an end to their cup involvement and allows Fabian Hurzeler's side to focus entirely on their Premier League campaign.
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