On a chilly February night at Anfield, Liverpool delivered a commanding display to dispatch Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 and secure their place in the FA Cup fifth round for only the fourth time in the last eleven seasons. The red-clad faithful were treated to a performance brimming with energy, precision, and a splash of redemption—most notably from Dominik Szoboszlai, whose journey from recent adversity to milestone heroics stole the headlines.
The build-up to this fixture was colored by Liverpool’s renewed focus on the FA Cup. With their Premier League title defense having fizzled out, the cup has become a beacon of hope for silverware. Manager Arne Slot, clearly recognizing the stakes, opted for a strong starting eleven, resisting any temptation to blood youngsters or rotate heavily. Only Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch had a rest, with Ekitike making a late appearance off the bench. The contrast with last year’s infamous fourth-round exit to Plymouth Argyle—when a shadow squad crashed out—couldn’t have been starker. Slot’s intent was clear: this was no time for experiments.
The early exchanges were tense, with Brighton matching Liverpool stride for stride. The hosts thought they’d broken the deadlock when Cody Gakpo nodded in a fizzed free-kick from Szoboszlai, but the assistant referee’s flag quickly dashed those celebrations for offside. Rather than deflate the Reds, the moment seemed to spark them into life, and soon the Anfield crowd was roaring for real.
In the 42nd minute, Curtis Jones—deployed as an emergency right-back amid Liverpool’s ongoing defensive shuffle—seized his opportunity. Milos Kerkez, the £40 million summer signing from Bournemouth, surged down the left and whipped in a sumptuous cross. Jones timed his run to perfection, steering home from six yards out to end a 57-game goal drought. The relief was palpable, not just for Jones but for the whole side. The academy graduate, whose future has been the subject of speculation following interest from Inter Milan, looked right at home, linking up well with Mohamed Salah and reminding everyone of his value to Slot’s plans.
Kerkez’s contribution didn’t go unnoticed either. The Serbian left-back, who has taken time to settle at Anfield, was a bundle of energy—solid at the back and a constant threat going forward. His assist for Jones marked his second in three games, a sign that he’s finally finding his rhythm in Liverpool red. Earlier in the campaign, Kerkez was prone to rash decisions and costly fouls, but against Brighton, he was the picture of composure and confidence.
After the break, Brighton tried to wrestle back momentum, but Liverpool’s quality shone through. The second goal, arriving in the 56th minute, was a thing of beauty. Cody Gakpo started the move on the halfway line, with Kerkez again providing the overlap. The ball found its way to Mohamed Salah, who, in a flash of brilliance, delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the path of an onrushing Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder didn’t hesitate—he unleashed a thunderous shot into the top corner, leaving Brighton keeper Jason Steele grasping at thin air.
It was Szoboszlai’s tenth goal of the season, a remarkable feat considering his occasional stints at right-back and the team’s fluctuating form. The moment was also a personal triumph. Just a few weeks earlier, Szoboszlai had been forced to apologize to his teammates after a costly error in the previous FA Cup round against Barnsley, where an ill-advised flick led to a goal. That night, he was accused of disrespect by the opposition and left with a bitter taste despite Liverpool’s win. He responded with a string of strong performances, but his last Anfield appearance before this match ended in a red card for a professional foul on Erling Haaland, resulting in a suspension for the following game. Yet, as soon as he was available again, Slot wasted no time restoring him to the heart of midfield. Szoboszlai ran the show, involved in every positive move, and capped his display with that unforgettable strike.
"He was everywhere, and everything that was good about his side, he was a part of," wrote one observer, capturing the essence of Szoboszlai’s influence. The Hungarian has openly stated his desire to extend his Liverpool stay, even as contract negotiations continue. With performances like this, it’s hard to imagine him anywhere else—and some are already whispering about future captaincy material.
Just twelve minutes after Szoboszlai’s rocket, Liverpool put the tie to bed. Mohamed Salah, fresh from a standout showing since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, coolly converted a penalty in the 68th minute. It was Salah’s first goal since coming back, and it capped a night where he also notched an assist and looked back to his dazzling best. The Egyptian’s energy and creativity were a constant thorn in Brighton’s side.
There was still time for a little more drama. Substitute Rio Ngumoha thought he’d netted a fourth with a tidy finish, only for VAR to intervene and rule it out for offside. But by then, the contest was all but over, and the Kop was already singing in anticipation of the next round.
Defensively, Liverpool were rock solid, recording back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since mid-December. For a side that’s struggled with injuries and makeshift lineups at the back, that’s no small feat. The win not only keeps their cup dreams alive but also injects valuable momentum ahead of their next Premier League clash—an away trip to Nottingham Forest on February 22.
As the final whistle blew, the sense around Anfield was one of satisfaction and quiet optimism. Slot’s decision to go full strength paid off, his key players delivered, and Liverpool fans were left savoring a classic cup night. With the FA Cup now firmly in their sights and confidence building, the Reds look ready for whatever comes next.