Brighton knocks Liverpool out of FA Cup

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated his disappointment at the Red’s second loss and third winless game against Brighton this season. The first clash between the Seagulls and the Reds happened in the Premier League in October.

The game ended in a six-goal thriller, while the second leg of that Premier League fixture is more recent, with a 3-0 win at Amex Stadium on January 14.

However, Liverpool couldn’t fare better on Sunday despite going ahead, thanks to Harvey Elliott in the 30th minute. Lewis Dunk would equalize nine minutes later as both teams went into the break level.

The second went Brighton’s way, so it wasn’t surprising when the in-form Kaoru Mitoma snatched the winner in stoppage time to dent any hopes of a replay for Liverpool, who needed one to move past Wolves in the third round of the competition.

The goal was Mitoma’s fourth in his last six games while Liverpool’s defending was put into question, raising demands from fans for reinforcement before the end of the winter transfer window.

However, Jurgen Klopp has ruled out any transfer deals in January while bemoaning the defeat to Brighton.

“Nothing will happen in this transfer window, not at all. It’s all good with this squad. We came here after a game a few weeks ago when we weren’t even close to ourselves. Today we played a better game, but we concede two goals from set-pieces, and that is not allowed in any way. It doesn’t feel great.” Klopp said.

Liverpool’s next game will be in the Premier League against Wolves, followed by a Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield. While Brighton waits for their next-round opponents in the FA Cup, they will face Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu