Dazed from Ibiza and perhaps still recovering from their beach break, Arne Slot’s Premier League champions received a significant jolt by the seaside.
Brighton’s young midfielder Jack Hinshelwood came off the bench to net an 87th-minute winner, completing a remarkable five-goal turnaround thriller at the Amex Stadium.
Jack Hinshelwood scored the decisive goal for Brighton against Liverpool.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot`s team appeared to be feeling the effects of their post-title celebrations.
Liverpool started brightly, with Harvey Elliott scoring after just nine minutes.
Kaoru Mitoma led the fightback for the Seagulls.
The defeat handed Liverpool boss Slot another unwelcome outcome, following a week where the team celebrated their Premier League title win (achieved almost a month prior) with a trip that included partying in Ibiza.
The Reds squad also recently enjoyed an end-of-season visit to the Middle East. With their winless streak now extending to three games, it`s quite clear they are struggling to shake off the holiday mindset.
Liverpool initially showed promise. Conor Bradley, playing ahead of unused substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold (rumoured to be heading to Real Madrid), delivered a superb assist in the ninth minute for Harvey Elliott to open the scoring.
Brighton’s Yasin Ayari equalised in the 32nd minute. However, Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s lead with what appeared to be an unintentional but spectacular strike. Substitute Kaoru Mitoma then brought Brighton level again in the 69th minute.
The Japanese winger, having only been on the pitch for four minutes, provided the clinical finish his teammates had been missing. However, his impact was quickly surpassed by Hinshelwood, whose winning goal came just 78 seconds after he was introduced.
VAR checked Hinshelwood’s goal for a tight offside, briefly pausing the jubilant celebrations. Despite the delay, the goal stood. Eighth-placed Brighton remarkably still hold a slim hope of European qualification heading into the final matchday, contingent on Chelsea finishing seventh and winning the Europa Conference League.
Since clinching the title at home against Tottenham on April 27th, Liverpool have lost to Chelsea and drawn with Arsenal. Slot continued to rotate his squad for this match.
Captain Virgil van Dijk was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup for a Premier League game for the first time this season, meaning Mohamed Salah wore the captain`s armband for Liverpool at the start of a match.
Despite their recent form, Liverpool showed early attacking intent. Cody Gakpo cut inside and curled a shot that just brushed Bart Verbruggen’s left post.
However, Brighton soon began to control the game, demonstrating the style they have developed under Fabian Hurzeler – dominating possession and creating chances, though often struggling with the final touch.
Conor Bradley, already recognised at Anfield for his defensive performance against Kylian Mbappe, was given a challenging afternoon on the right flank by Brighton`s Simon Adingra.
But Brighton were soon punished for their inability to convert chances. Szoboszlai’s long diagonal pass found Salah, who expertly flicked it on to Bradley.
The young Northern Ireland international displayed both skill and determination, nutmegging Pervis Estupinan, wrong-footing Adam Webster, and then sliding a precise pass for Elliott to tap home from close range.
“There’s only one Conor Bradley,” sang the travelling fans, a clear message regarding Alexander-Arnold and an indication that a new fan favourite has emerged.
When not under pressure from Brighton’s energetic wingers, Bradley looked comfortable and confident, nearly scoring himself moments later with a side-footed shot just wide of the post.
The home side did not give up. Danny Welbeck missed a good opportunity with a header from an Adingra cross.
Slot was visibly pacing on the sideline. Ayari finally found the net, finishing a superb move that started deep. Welbeck linked up with Gruda, who skillfully chipped the ball over a flat Liverpool defence for Ayari to calmly score.
Was the post-title celebrating affecting the champions` focus? Their play became noticeably disjointed until Szoboszlai’s moment of brilliance restored their lead, surprising the home fans and many of his own teammates.
From a free-kick routine, Elliott laid the ball off to the Hungarian. With plenty of space on the right side of the box, he unleashed a powerful, swerving shot – perhaps intended as a cross – that flew over Verbruggen and into the side-netting.
His understated celebration and slightly embarrassed smirk suggested it might not have been deliberate. Slot`s reaction, holding his head in disbelief, mirrored the general surprise. Regardless of intent, Liverpool were back in front.
Brighton, however, showed remarkable bravery and resilience, continuing to press forward. Alisson was forced to parry away a low free-kick from Welbeck.
The “attack, attack, attack” chants from the home crowd persisted, even after Salah missed an uncharacteristic sitter from just seven yards out in the 54th minute, following a brilliant, driving run down the left from Gakpo.
Alisson continued his personal battle with Welbeck, denying him his 11th Premier League goal of the season. But the goalkeeper couldn`t prevent substitute Mitoma from scoring the equalizer from a rebound.
The Japanese forward made an immediate, decisive impact after coming on, providing the clinical finishing his team had previously lacked.
The winning goal was orchestrated by another successful substitution from Hurzeler – Matt O’Riley delivered a cross into the six-yard box, which Hinshelwood tapped in. The “Beach Boys” (Brighton) secured a memorable win against the “boys on the beach” (Liverpool).
