Brighton vs Liverpool England FA Cup: Win 2-1. The FA Cup dealt Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool another setback during a trying season. Their run as champions came to an end in the fourth round when Brighton defeated them 2-1 at the Amex Stadium thanks to a Kaoru Mitoma goal in stoppage time.
Harvey Elliott had given the Reds the lead in the first half after receiving a beautiful assist from Mohamed Salah, but before the half, Tariq Lamptey equalized with a 25-yard effort that Lewis Dunk deflected past an unprepared Alisson Becker.
In the second half, neither team created many chances, and it looked like the match would end in a draw until Mitoma, a brilliant Japanese international, reached Pervis Estupinan’s clipped cross at the back post and took a touch before firing a volley past Alisson from close range in the 93rd minute.
It was difficult for Klopp’s team, who fought valiantly throughout and were a far cry from the team that was humiliated here in the Premier League earlier this month, but it is only the latest blow in a Liverpool season that is quickly turning into a nightmare.
The Performing Side:
Kaoru Mitoma: It seemed only right that the game’s pivotal moment would come from its star performer. Mitoma won’t be someone Liverpool wants to cross paths with anytime soon, for sure. Trent Alexander-Arnold was replaced in a huff before the hour mark. The Japan star terrorized them in the league encounter a fortnight ago, and he did it again here. Trent Alexander-Arnold found his speed and evasive dribbling to be too much. James Milner, his replacement, did not fare much better. After Mitoma had produced a beautiful cross with the outside of his right foot, only a great block from Alisson kept Solly March from scoring.
Harvey Elliott: Amazing what a week can do. Elliott was asked to play again here after struggling on the left side of Liverpool’s attack against Chelsea. This time, he did considerably better. The 19-year-old is by no means a natural on the field, but after scoring the game-winning goal for the Reds in the third-round rematch at Wolves, he found the back of the net once more at the Amex, drifting infield to good effect to latch onto Mohamed Salah’s nifty pass and finishing well on his right foot.
Cody Gakpo: Five scoreless matches to start his Liverpool career, yet tiny steps are what the Reds are chasing, what they’re holding to right now, and here we saw the clearest sign of where Gakpo may fit into this club, and what he might provide. The Dutchman started as the Reds’ No. 9 and was given the instructions to connect the game by drifting deep and to stop Brighton from going into midfield easily by pressing Alexis Mac Allister and Pascal Gross. He also did this against Chelsea last weekend and at Wolves in the previous round.
The Losing Side:
Fabinho: Really, that ought to have been the shortest of cameos. In the 84th and 87th minutes, respectively, Fabinho should have been leaving the field with a straight red card. Only Neil Swarbrick, the VAR, is aware of how the referee decided not to dismiss Evan Ferguson for his raking challenge down the Achilles. Ferguson staggered off, fortunate not to have suffered a serious injury, while even Fabinho appeared as though he expected to be dismissed. Unintentional, for sure, but the Brazilian might consider himself extremely lucky not to face punishment.
Mohamed Salah: For Liverpool’s star player, whose form is still concerning, another game means another empty score. Fair enough, Salah should have stopped his recent dry spell in this game. Early on, Lewis Dunk’s goal-line clearance stopped him, and then Harvey Elliott quickly let him through. However, his finish was subpar, revealing a guy lacking in confidence despite his impressive goal-scoring record. Salah, who never stops working, must wonder what the hell has occurred as he observes the chaos around him, yet his second half here perfectly captured the current situation.
Moises Caicedo: How to instantly damage your relationship with a team and its supporters. Caicedo wasn’t here since Brighton had instructed him to leave before the transfer window closed. The Ecuadorian international is attempting to push a transfer to Arsenal after their £60 million ($74 million) offer was turned down earlier this week, but he would be well to be selective in his desires. Although there is no denying the appeal of the Emirates Stadium (or even Stamford Bridge), as Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella will attest, the grass isn’t always greener.
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