Brighton vs Liverpool final score, result (FA Cup): Mitoma’s last-gasp winner

Brighton vs Liverpool Highlights:

Holders received the axe from Brighton. With a spectacular 92nd-minute goal from Kaoru Mitoma, the Seagulls defeated Liverpool 2-1 and advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup, eliminating the Reds from the competition. When Mo Salah cut through the middle of the Brighton defense, underlining Caicedo's glaring absence, he found Harvey Elliott's deft run, who wiggled the ball beneath an approaching Jason Steele. This gave the Reds the lead. Brighton fought back bravely, tying the score nine minutes later when Tariq Lamptey's long-range shot was fortunate enough to be diverted past an unprepared Allison by Lewis Dunk's boot.

Midway through the second half, Jurgen Klopp tried to force the issue by bringing on James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Darwin Nunez, but tenacious Brighton held on before delivering the decisive blow in stoppage time. Mitoma, who was excellent throughout the entire game, repeatedly threatened Allison's goal and was rewarded for his perseverance in the final moments when he slid past a horde of players at the back post before firing the game-winning shot into the roof of the net.

Brighton vs Liverpool Summary

Back at the location of the 3-0 thrashing that Klopp regarded as the worst of his managerial career a week prior, the Reds showed signs of improvement but were helpless to stop Mitoma's magnificent improvisation late in the game. Prior to his winning goal, the Japanese international had given Solly March the opportunity to tie the game up. Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to leave the field after just 59 minutes as a result.

March was on the move in the center of the field thanks to a deft flip of the right foot, but the towering frame of Alisson met him quickly, sprawling to deny the winger before the rebound went off the post. Interestingly, March, not the ball, made it into the goal. Unfazed, Mitoma persisted in creating havoc down the right before receiving the break he so richly deserved, tricking Joe Gomez as he handled Pervis Estupinan's lofted cross and slammed it into the back of the net.

Mitoma shines in the injury time

A devastated Klopp watched helplessly from the sidelines, wincing awkwardly at yet another instance of sloppy defending, as the dramatic nature of the victory caused an eruption of noise inside the Amex Stadium as supporters sang the name of their hero. This season, Liverpool has suffered nine defeats in all competitions, which is more than twice as many as they suffered all of last year. Following the game, Klopp declared, "We won't fall apart, I can assure you... there were steps in the correct path. The view from the victorious dugout was less favorable, as De Zerbi made it apparent that he was not happy with his team's overall performance despite the outcome - a blatant sign of Brighton's rise.

Brighton vs Liverpool Final Score

Goals

Brighton: Lewis Dunk 39’, Mitoma Kaoru 90+2’

Liverpool: Harvey Elliott 30’

Brighton vs Liverpool Line-ups and Ratings

Brighton: Steele (7), Lamptey (7), Webster (5), Dunk (7), Estupinan (8), Mac Allister (8), Gross (7), March (9), Welbeck (7), Mitoma (9), Ferguson (8).

Subs: Veltman (7), Gilmour (6), Undav (n/a), Van Hecke (n/a).

Liverpool: Allison (7), Robertson (6), Gomez (5), Konate (5), Alexander-Arnold (5), Keita (5), Bajcetic (6), Thiago (6), Elliot (7), Gakpo (5), Salah (6).

Subs: Nunez (5), Henderson (6), Milner (5), Jones (n/a), Fabinho (n/a).

Player of the match: Kaoru Mitoma