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.
Brighton 0-0 Liverpool
8 mins: A first decent spell for Brighton as Minteh takes on Tsimikas, but Bradley clears the cross. Gurda then goes to ground under the challenge of Gravenberch, and appears to get a knock on his knee, but the fall was exaggerated and the referee waves play on.
At the other end, Salah takes off but shoots straight at Verbruggen.
Brighton 0-0 Liverpool
6 mins: A foul on Elliott gave Szoboszlai the chance to swing the ball in from a free-kick, but he overhits it straight through.
Brighton 0-0 Liverpool
4 mins: The Liverpool fans are in good voice as Arne Slot’s side keep the ball. The Federico Chiesa song is getting a strong rendition from the away end.
Brighton 0-0 Liverpool
1 mins: Liverpool cut through Brighton and suddenly the break is on. Gakpo, who has started on the left, cuts inside but bends his shot just around the post.
It is Federico Chiesa who has started through the middle.
KICK-OFF! Brighton 0-0 Liverpool
Underway in Brighton. Will Liverpool be on the beach? It’s not too far away, after all.
Brighton vs Liverpool LIVE
With Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench tonight, Mohamed Salah will captain Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time.
He leads Liverpool out onto the pitch, as Brighton form a guard of honour. A proud moment for Salah, although there are some boos among the Brighton fans.
Reminder of team news and how to watch
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan, Baleba, Ayari, Adingra, Gruda, Minteh, Welbeck
Subs: Rushworth, Julio, Hinshelwood, Dunk, Veltman, Gomez, Howell, O'Riley, Mitoma
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Konate, Quansah, Bradley, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Chiesa, Elliot, Salah, Gakpo.
Subs: Kelleher, Robertson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Endo, Jones, Nunez, Diaz.
The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Brighton vs Liverpool LIVE
A lovely evening down on the south coast. Kick-off is coming up next.
Arne Slot explains Liverpool changes
Arne Slot, speaking to Sky Sports, explains Liverpool’s changes against Brighton:
“As the job of a Liverpool player always is to win a game of football, but as you saw in the line-up, it's also interesting for me to see a few players that we haven't seen enough, if you look at their quality.
"I talk about Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliot, Federico Chiesa, so this is a good moment for them to show where they are against a very difficult opponent.
“I think it's impossible [to rest Mo Salah] - if I would've left him out, I think I could've expected a knock on my door!”
'Europe is still possible' for Brighton
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler but told his players that European football is still possible if they beat Liverpool tonight.
"There are a lot of highs but also lows this season and we have missed a bit of consistency in performances and results,” he told Sky Sports.
"We haven’t been able to put the same side out all the time and we have a very young squad, who need to grow from mistakes.
"We know there are still a lot of things left in the season so far. Europe is possible but we have to focus on our job."
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