Liverpool advanced into the FA Cup fifth round as they delivered a comprehensive 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring for the Reds in the first half before a Dominik Szoboszlai strike and Mo Salah penalty ensured victory against their Premier League rivals. Substitute Rio Ngumoha was wrongly denied a late goal for offside to make the triumph more emphatic.
Match report
The opening 35 minutes was largely uneventful before Cody Gakpo had a header disallowed for offside for Liverpool. But that sparked the home side into life and three minutes later, Milos Kerkez had a well-struck shot saved by Brighton keeper Jason Steele.
On 42 minutes, the Reds engineered the breakthrough when Kerkez’s excellent cross picked out Jones, who deftly finished from close range. But in stoppage-time, Jones almost turned hero to villain when his slip allowed Diego Gomez in on goal, but a combination of good pressure from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and a save from goalkeeper Alisson Becker ensured that Slot’s men went into the break ahead.
Alisson had to make another decent stop early in the second period when he beat away Lewis Dunk’s header across the box. The next goal was going to be crucial - and it went Liverpool’s way. In the 56th minute, with one fell swoop, Salah’s perfect first-time pass picked out the run of Szoboszlai, who hammered into the far corner.
And 12 minutes later, the tie was put to bed. Salah outmuscled Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu before he was wrestled to the ground by Pascal Gross in the Seagulls’ box. A penalty was awarded and Salah stepped up to finish with aplomb.
Liverpool should have had a a fourth goal in the closing stages when Gakpo burst his way beyond Brighton’s defence and found Ngumoha, with the 17-year-old finding the far corner with confidence. Ngumoha was flagged offside although replays showed he was in a legal position, but VAR is not utilised in the FA Cup until the next round.
There were cheers at the full-time whistle from the home faithful as Liverpool booked their spot in Monday’s draw - and aspirations of silverware this season very much still alive.
Liverpool player ratings vs Brighton
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5. Milos Kerkez - 8
Was such a fighter in the first half as he played with aggression, almost scored and then delivered a peach of a cross to engineer the opener. Not as involved after the break but still played with an edge and kept it tight at the back. | Getty Images
6. Dominik Szoboszlai - 7
Some decent moments but perhaps not as involved as much as he'd have liked in the first half. Much better in the second half, though, and couldn't have taken his goal any better. | Getty Images
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7. Alexis Mac Allister - 7
Made a big block in the first half and displayed great vision to create Kerkez's chance. Won some really clever tackles after the break and performance might go a bit under-rated. | Getty Images
8. Mo Salah - 8
Some good moments in the first half but just lacked end product. But improved markedly after the break, with his inch-perfect pass setting up Szoboszlai before proving too strong for Brighton to win the penalty which he scored. Subbed in the 77th minute, | Getty Images