Liverpool have now gone three games without a win after Brighton twice came from behind in an exciting context at the Amex. Jack Hinselwood's assured finish sealed the points after the hosts had poured foward in search of a winner in the closing stages.
The champions were ahead nine minutes in when Harvey Elliott tapped in from Conor Bradley's cutback. Just after the 30-minute mark, Brajan Gruda went clean through and levelled with the Seagulls with a low shot, before Szobsolai's ball in from the right flew over Brighton Verbruggen and into the net.
With 20 minutes left, though, Kaoru Mitoma, punced on a rebound to fire home. And then with time running out, Brighton sub Hinshelwood scored with his first touch from Matt O'Riley's cross, the goal given after a lengthy VAR check.
Express Sport rates the Liverpool players...
Liverpool player ratings vs Brighton (4-2-3-1)
Alisson: 6
Couldn't be blamed for the first goal - but appeared to be caught off guard by Grudan scuffing his finish. Made an excellent save after the break from Danny Welbeck's free-kick but when he saved again from the striker later on, only managed to parry the ball into Mitoma's path.
Conor Bradley: 6
Started brilliantly, surging forward to tee-up Elliott for the opener and then was alert to clear the danger from Yankuba Minteh's cross. However, slow to react for the Brighton opener and his influence going forward faded in second half.
Ibrahima Konate: 7
Solid in the air and his distribution out from the back was on point. However, one or two nervy moments and appeared to miss the presence of Virgil van Dijk alongside him.
Jarrell Quansah: 6
Made two crucial blocks but caught napping in the first-half as an unmarked Danny Welbeck headed wide from close range.
Kostas Tsimikas: 5
Was given a torrid time by Minteh with most of Brighton's first-half threat coming down the right. The Greek international was also wasteful in possession and the display wouldn't have done his hopes of staying at the club much good.
Ryan Gravenberch: 7
Solid if not spectacular. Tidy in possession and not afraid to carry the ball upfield. Was a calming influence on his side when Brighton tried to press late on.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 7
Did he mean it? Whether Szobsolai's goal was an outrageous fluke or a moment of genius, it was the highlight of an otherwise steady display. Linked well with his forwards but made little impact after half-time.
Mohamed Salah: 6
Dangerous as always as he stretched the Brighton defence and stung the palms of Verbruggen with one 25-yard drive. However, with Liverpool 2-1 up he inexplicably fired wide from six yards and then missed another close range chance.
Cody Gakpo: 8
Threatened with one rasping early shot and was a constant threat as he cut in from the left-hand side. Would have had an assist were it not for Salah's poor miss and being subbed off was surely down to Slot wanting to give his players game-time.
Harvey Elliott: 8
Played like a man with something to prove. Frequently got on the ball and tried to create, and timed his run into the box well for his goal. Could yet be an asset to Slot next season.
Federico Chiesa: 5
Likely to leave this summer and the Italian was playing for his Anfield future tonight, then it looks bleak for him. Struggled to make an impact and when he did get a sight of goal second half, completely mishit his effort and was hooked after an hour.
SUBS
Luis Diaz (For Chiesa, 63) 6
Tried hard to get involved but his final ball was lacking
Curtis Jones (For Szobsolai, 63) 5
Added energy but coughed up possesion a few times and wasted one big chance, pulling the ball behind Salah when his team-mate was well placed to score.
Darwin Nunez (for Gakpo, 63) 6
His physical presence brought a new dimension to Liverpool's attacking play late on but never managed to get a clear opportunity on goal.
Endo (for Conor Bradley, 77) 6
Little time to make any real impact but was prepared to help his defenders in the closing stages.