Curtis Jones’ first goal since December 2024, a stylish drive by Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave Liverpool a resounding home win over Brighton & Hove Albion to reach the FA Cup fifth round with a second win in three days.
Midfielder Jones netted for the first time since December 2024 by slotting in Milos Kerkez’s delivery three minutes before the end of an even first half between the Premier League sides.
In-form Szoboszlai, who fired in a superb long-range effort at home to Barnsley in the previous round, completed a slick move with a thunderous finish via goalkeeper Jason Steele’s fingertips as the Reds doubled their lead 11 minutes after the restart.
Salah fired in an emphatic penalty eight minutes later, with winger Rio Ngumoha denied a fourth for the Reds when his strike was ruled out for offside.
Analysis: Liverpool breeze past Brighton in FA Cup
Liverpool had twice gone out at this stage of the competition since lifting the trophy in 2021/22, including an embarrassing exit at Plymouth Argyle last season.
They lost 2-1 at Brighton in the fourth round in 2022/23, and the Seagulls bossed possession with neat passing during the early stages as they sought another impressive away win following their victory at Manchester United in the third round.
Fortunately for Liverpool, a lack of ruthlessness has been a feature of Albion’s current 13-game winless run in the league.
Jack Hinshelwood continued the pattern by heading a fine chance over the bar during a first half in which Diego Gomez also produced a poor finish inside the box that was saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
After Jones ended his goal drought, Szoboszlai took his tally to five goals and two assists in his last eight games.
Kerkez’s run created space for Mohamed Salah to run into on the right, meeting Cody Gakpo’s arrowed long ball with a cushioned volley to find the Hungary playmaker, who blasted Liverpool’s sweet second past stand-in Steele.
“He’s one of the best players in the world right now!”
Mo Salah on what it’s like to play alongside Dominik Szoboszlai this season 🌍
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/QimRxdRxGX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026
Liverpool starting team vs Brighton
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo suffered an ankle problem against Sunderland and joined Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni on the sidelines.
Joe Gomez had returned to action in midweek and was on the bench, while Szoboszlai returned after suspension.
Salah now has 11 goals and nine assists in 20 appearances against Brighton.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo
Liverpool substitutes: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Trey Nyoni, Calvin Ramsay, Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha
Brighton & Hove Albion line up vs Liverpool
Brighton remained without Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March and Yasin Ayari through injury, but Mats Wieffer was on the bench after recovering from a toe issue.
Fabian Hurzeler rotated his side, including Steele in goal in place of Bart Verbruggen. Former Liverpool midfielder James Milner was on the bench.
England youth international Harry Howell, 17, was given his latest chance to impress.
Brighton & Hove Albion starting XI: Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Ferdi Kadioglu, Pascal Gross, Carlos Baleba, Jack Hinshelwood, Harry Howell, Charalampos Kostoulas, Diego Gomez
Brighton substitutes: Bart Verbruggen, Georginio Rutter, Yankuba Minteh, Danny Welbeck, James Milner, Olivier Boscagli, Kaoru Mitoma, Mats Wieffer, Maxim De Cuyper
Who’s next for Liverpool in the 2025/26 FA Cup?
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