On a chilly Valentine’s Day evening at Anfield, Liverpool delivered a statement performance, sweeping aside Brighton 3-0 to secure their place in the FA Cup fifth round. The Reds, under the guidance of Arne Slot, showcased flashes of their best football, with goals from Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Mohamed Salah igniting the home crowd and fueling renewed optimism for a season that’s had its share of ups and downs.
For Liverpool fans, this was more than just a win—it was a reminder of what this team is capable of when the pieces click. The match, played on February 14, 2026, saw the home side dominate key moments, but Brighton, despite the final scoreline, were no pushovers. In fact, the Seagulls carved out several clear chances and will be left ruing their lack of clinical finishing, especially in the first half.
The opening exchanges were cagey, both sides probing and pressing high, a tactical battle that Slot highlighted post-match. “Today we have two teams who have a similar style. They want to bring the ball out from the back … two teams that want to press high,” Slot told TNT Sports. “The modern Premier League is not so much about bringing the ball out from the back … a lot about direct style and set pieces … we are still as good as last season.”
It was Brighton who started the brighter, controlling possession and fashioning the first big chance. Jack Hinshelwood, unmarked from six yards, powered a header over the bar—a miss that would soon haunt the visitors. Not long after, Diego Gomez forced a sharp save from Liverpool’s ever-reliable Alisson, who was in inspired form throughout the night. Alisson’s heroics, particularly his sprawling stop to deny Lewis Dunk just before half-time, kept Liverpool’s clean sheet intact and set the stage for what was to come.
After a brief period of frustration—Cody Gakpo’s header was ruled out for offside after a slick Szoboszlai free-kick—Liverpool found their breakthrough. Milos Kerkez, lively down the left, whipped in a low cross that found Curtis Jones at the back post. Jones, filling in as a makeshift right-back, opened his body and flicked the ball past Jason Steele for 1-0. The roar from the Kop said it all. “It was a good game … we scored three very good goals … a clean sheet as well … that’s all you can ask for,” Jones told TNT, after being named player of the match. “I just want to play well … help the team as much as I can. I’m a footballer … a centre mid … but if the manager needs me and the team needs me to play at centre-half or full-back or striker, I’ll go and do it and try my best.”
Brighton refused to wilt and came out strong after the break. The game’s momentum could have shifted if Dunk’s header, from a well-worked set piece, had found the net. Instead, Alisson’s reflexes denied the equalizer, and Liverpool seized their chance moments later with a move of real quality.
It was the second goal that truly underlined Liverpool’s class. Gakpo, drifting infield, released Salah down the right. The Egyptian international, back to his best, cushioned a first-time pass into the path of the surging Szoboszlai. The Hungarian, brimming with confidence, lashed a first-time shot across Steele and into the top corner—a goal that brought Anfield to its feet. “I just want to keep going and score as many as I can. I’m not playing a Steven Gerrard season. Although he was a legend at the club, I’m trying to write my own story,” Szoboszlai said after the match. Salah, ever the provider and scorer, was quick to praise his teammate: “We rely on [Szoboszlai] so much … he is one of the best players in the world right now … I wish he could carry on like this.”
Brighton tried to respond, with Mitoma and Minteh probing down the wings, but Liverpool’s defense—despite the odd lapse—held firm. The killer blow came midway through the second half. Salah, twisting and turning in the box, was bundled over by Pascal Gross. The referee pointed to the spot, and Salah, under pressure, made no mistake, rifling his penalty into the top corner. “There was pressure for sure [on the penalty] … I’m glad we managed to win the game … a very important win for us … for confidence for upcoming games,” Salah reflected.
As the clock ticked down, Brighton pushed for a consolation, but Alisson and his backline stood tall. Liverpool’s substitutes, including the promising Ngumoha, nearly added a fourth, only to be denied by the offside flag. The final whistle brought relief and celebration for the Reds, while Brighton’s players and fans were left to ponder what might have been.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler cut a disappointed figure but found positives in his team’s approach. “We started the game well, controlled the ball and the game changed a little bit when they scored. The goal came out of nowhere. We had two big chances in the first half and we didn’t use them. Liverpool were more effective,” Hurzeler told BBC Sport. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we can’t complain about these moments. It is about us and me taking responsibility and working for it. You have to do the small step right and then we can take a big step.” Speaking to TNT Sports, he added, “We started the game well … good on the ball … big chances in the first half … big moments decided the game … good quality from Liverpool … we tried to come back … in the end we lost a little bit of belief … the fans were great … they deserve more and therefore we are really disappointed.”
For Liverpool, the win marks only the third time this season they’ve strung together back-to-back domestic victories—a statistic that underscores the inconsistency that’s plagued their campaign. But on this evidence, Slot’s men are finding form at just the right time. “This team has made a proper development … the team is playing better and better because we are fitter and fitter … now you can see what this team can do … the future looks bright,” Slot enthused post-match.
With the fifth round draw looming, Liverpool supporters are daring to dream of silverware once more. The FA Cup remains a beacon of hope, and if performances like this become the norm, there’s every chance the Reds will be in the mix come May. Brighton, meanwhile, must regroup and end a winless streak that now stretches to five games. Still, with the resilience shown at Anfield, their fortunes could turn with a touch more luck and sharper finishing.
As Anfield emptied into the Merseyside night, it was clear: Liverpool’s season is alive, and on nights like these, the magic of the cup feels as real as ever.