Salah on form as Liverpool cruise past Brighton into the fifth round | OneFootball

Liverpool booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a convincing win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.

The Seagulls initially had a bright start at Anfield but once the home side grew into the game they always looked on top.

Liverpool had the ball in the net in the 35th minute after an unnecessary foul was given away by youngster Harry Howell. Dominik Szoboszlai sent in an excellent delivery that Cody Gakpo headed in from close range but the Dutch forward was caught offside. Of course, there was no VAR for this game but regardless the assistant got the right call.

The home side didn't have to wait long for the opener though. This one came from good control by Milos Kerkez who then sent in a cross that Curtis Jones was in the right place to stab home and break his goalscoring duck with his first goal for Liverpool since Boxing Day 2026.

Brighton started the second half well again but it was Arne Slot's side who made it 2-0 with a classy goal in the 56th minute.

Gakpo sent a cross-field pass to the right where Mohamed Salah cushioned the ball perfectly into the path of Szoboszlai who rifled an effort into the goal.

In reaction to that, Fabian Hürzeler made three changes with Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, and Georginio Rutter all coming on but before any of the substitutes had a chance to make an impact Liverpool had a penalty.

Again it was Salah who was instrumental driving into the box, barging past Ferdi Kadioglu and going down after a pull from Pascal Gross with the referee pointing to the spot. Jason Steele deserves credit for even attempting to try and save Salah's penalty which was struck with power and into the top corner to make it 3-0 in the 68th minute.

That goal gave Liverpool plenty of breathing space and there looked to have been a fourth when substitute Rio Ngumoha received the ball from Gakpo before firing into the net only to have been judged offside.

Brighton surely didn't expect to win this one but the defeat means it is now just two victories in their last 15 games in all competition – a run that includes seven defeats. The next game won't be easier either with a trip to Brentford coming up next.

Liverpool meanwhile put in an impressive performance with Salah shining once again. The Reds now have a nice run of upcoming fixtures to build some real momentum for the rest of the season.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

29':

Missed opportunity. Curtis Jones of Liverpool took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

31':

Missed opportunity! Lewis Dunk from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. He was set up by Jack Hinshelwood.

Liverpool takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion. Curtis Jones scores with a powerful right-footed shot from the middle of the box, sending the ball into the top center of the net. The assist comes from Milos Kerkez, who delivered a precise cross.

42':

GOAL Liverpool: Curtis Jones (Liverpool) scores!

Curtis Jones scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches) Curtis Jones scores goal number 20 for his team (212 matches)

45':

Missed opportunity! Jack Hinshelwood from Brighton and Hove Albion heads the ball from a short distance, but it sails just over the bar. The chance was set up by Harry Howell, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.

54':

Missed opportunity! Joël Veltman from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right of the goal. The chance was created by Ferdi Kadioglu after a set piece.

Liverpool leads Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0. Dominik Szoboszlai scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the top left corner. The assist came from Mohamed Salah.

56':

GOAL Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) scores!

Dominik Szoboszlai scores goal number 2 in the competition (2 matches) Dominik Szoboszlai scores goal number 25 for his team (129 matches)

61':

Missed opportunity. Mohamed Salah of Liverpool took a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.

Liverpool leads Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0. Mohamed Salah steps up and successfully converts the penalty with a left-footed strike into the top right corner of the net.

68':

GOALLiverpool: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) scores penalty-kick!

Mohamed Salah scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches) Mohamed Salah scores goal number 252 for his team (428 matches)

76':

Missed opportunity! Yankuba Minteh from Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.

85':

Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

89':

Missed opportunity! Georginio Rutter from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it didn't hit the target.