Brighton shocked Premier League champions Liverpool with a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Amex Stadium on Monday night, leaving Arne Slot’s side winless since securing the title.
Liverpool struck first through Harvey Elliott’s early finish, but Brighton equalised via Yasin Ayari midway through the first half. Dominik Szoboszlai restored the Reds’ lead just before halftime with a curling effort from wide on the right, though it looked like it could’ve been a mishit cross.
Despite the halftime advantage, Liverpool faded late in the game. Kaoru Mitoma pounced on a rebound in the 69th minute to make it 2-2 after Danny Welbeck’s shot was parried by Alisson. The winner came just six minutes from time, when substitute Jack Hinshelwood found the net with his first touch, finishing off Matt O’Riley’s cross to complete the comeback.
Slot admitted his side lacked focus and sharpness, with the team returning late from a celebratory trip to Dubai, while Slot himself was seen partying in Ibiza. “Great game of football but not the result we wanted,” he said. “If you don’t score the third goal, it’s hard to win at this level. We missed too many chances.”
Federico Chiesa showed glimpses of promise, while right-back Conor Bradley impressed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence. Bradley played a key role in the opening goal, bursting down the flank before setting up Elliott.
Mohamed Salah, captaining the Reds in his 300th Premier League appearance, missed a golden chance to extend the lead when he put a close-range effort wide. That miss proved costly as Brighton launched their fightback.
The defeat means Liverpool have taken just one point from their last three matches, drawing against Arsenal and losing to Chelsea and Brighton since their title-clinching win over Spurs on April 27.
Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday at Anfield against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace before a celebratory open-top bus parade through the city on Monday.
