Brighton come from behind to beat Liverpool after Mohamed Salah’s huge miss - reaction
Brighton 3-2 Liverpool: Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood came off the bench to earn the Seagulls victory
Brighton and Hove Albion’s super-subs stunned Premier League champions Liverpool as the Seagulls kept their faint hopes of a European spot alive with a thrilling 3-2 win on Monday night.
Conor Bradley celebrated his new Liverpool contract by setting up Harvey Elliott’s opening goal inside ten minutes, but Brighton responded well and deservedly levelled when Yasin Ayari finished off a fine move.
Liverpool were ahead again moments before half time as Dominik Szoboszlai's cross from the angle snuck over the head of Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
After the break, Mohamed Salah missed a glorious chance to equal the record for Premier League goal involvements in a single season as he turned wide from just six yards after being set up by Cody Gakpo.
Kaoru Mitoma came off the bench to equalise again after Alisson had saved from Danny Welbeck, with the winger controlling a rising ball to finish the rebound.
And another substitute, Jack Hinshelwood, also played his part to score the winning goal two minutes after his introduction as Brighton moved up to eighth place in the table.
'We cannot miss chances like we did'
Arne Slot reflects on Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton and says his side missed the chance to kill the game at 2-1.
“Momentum changed in the game and I waited for us to score the third, that would have killed the game but they made it 2-2. Great game of football but not the result we wanted,” he told the BBC.
"These moments at this level do make a difference. Just before that miss Salah gave a similar chance to Federico and it was very well blocked. We played eighth in the Premier League and they were able to bring in Mitoma. That shows you about the strength of this league.
"If you don't score the third one then it's hard to win a game at this level, especially away from home. We cannot miss chances like we did if you want to win the game.”
Party in the away end
A reminder that Liverpool lost tonight. The fans of the champions don’t care!
'We wanted to win but Brighton wanted it more'
"I cannot say we are very sad but we didn't come here to lose, we wanted to win,” Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai's tells Premier League productions.
“We showed in the first 70 minutes that we wanted to get the three points and take them home. We faced a tough Brighton team and they deserved to win. They looked like they wanted it more.
"It's hard to talk about because we've won the league already but we don't come here to lose. We gave everything against Arsenal too and we will on Sunday because it's the final home game and the fans deserve it.”
Liverpool blow half-time lead for first time in eight years
Against Brighton, Liverpool lost a Premier League game having led at half time for the first time since December 2016!
That’s a run of 156 games without defeat until tonight.
FULL TIME! Brighton 3-2 Liverpool
Brighton had more shots, more shots on target, a higher xG, and more touches in the opposition box than Liverpool tonight.
Fabulous performance from the Seagulls with Mitoma making a big difference coming off the bench.
FULL TIME! Brighton 3-2 Liverpool
Young Jack Hinshelwood confirms his partner is expecting their first baby together, which explains the 20-year-old’s goal celebration.
Brighton’s super-subs stun Liverpool to keep European dream alive
Jack Hinshelwood struck a late winner as Brighton boosted their slender hopes of scraping Conference League qualification with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool.
Arne Slot's Reds were on course for success at the Amex Stadium following an eye-catching finish from Dominik Szoboszlai after Seagulls midfielder Yasin Ayari cancelled out Harvey Elliott's early opener.
But Mohamed Salah - making his 300th Premier League appearance - missed an open goal to stretch the visitors' lead before Kaoru Mitoma equalised and fellow Albion substitute Hinshelwood pounced five minutes from time.
Brighton’s super-subs stun Liverpool to keep European dream alive
Liverpool on the beach?
The champions showed some flashes, but you could tell who wanted to win that match in the last half-hour, when Brighton were far sharper.
Still, Liverpool would have probably won that had Mohamed Salah not missed from four yards out when the Reds led 2-1.
To add to Salah’s frustration, that would have been the chance to equal the record for single-season Premier League goal involvements!
That’s now just one point in three games for Liverpool since they won the Premier League at home to Tottenham.
They will look to finish off on a high note when Anfield celebrates the Premier League title lift at home to Crystal Palace.
Brighton for Europe?
Brighton retake 8th position in the Premier League and are three points clear of 9th-placed Brentford with just one game to go.
The top-eight will be theirs if they get a point at Tottenham, or as long as they match Brentford’s result at Wolves.
But will eighth be enough for European football? They would still need Chelsea to finish 7th and win the Conference League.
Or, they need Chelsea to finish 6th and win the Conference League and for Newcastle to finish 7th.
FULL TIME! Brighton 3-2 Liverpool
Brighton have done it! A brilliant way for Brighton to finish their home season, as they come from behind to beat the champions. Fabian Hürzeler’s changes made the difference as Mitoma and Hinshelwood came off the bench to score in the 3-2 win.
Liverpool have now taken one point from the three games they’ve played as champions - but they get to lift the title at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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