Liverpool lost for the 10th time in the Premier League this season, Brighton getting a deserved 2-1 win.
## Brighton 2-1 Liverpool
Premier League (31) | Amex Stadium
March 21, 2026
Goals
Welbeck 14′
Kerkez 30′ (assist: Mamardashvili)
Welbeck 56′
Ekitike hobbles off
With Mo Salah and Alisson absent due to injuries suffered three days earlier against Galatasaray, Arne Slot was forced into two changes for the final league game before the international break.
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike is substituted off injured during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Giorgi Mamardashvili and Cody Gakpo came were like-for-like changes, but Slot was forced into another within 10 minutes when Hugo Ekitike hobbled off. Jones came on, leaving Gakpo and Florian Wirtz to lead the attack.
Kerkez cancels out Welbeck’s opener
Danny Welbeck nodded the home side in front on 14 minutes, Liverpool failing to deal with the cross and head across goal.
It was an abysmal goal to concede, with Mamardashvili and Jones both making mistakes before the cross came in.
Gakpo, who had scored in just two of his previous 17 appearances, immediately had a big chance at the other end, but didn’t get his shot away quick enough.
With just one away goal scored before the 45th minute in the Premier League all season, it was difficult to see where a Liverpool goal would come from.
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez celebrates with team-mate captain Virgil van Dijk after scoring the first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It came from an unexpected source when Milos Kerkez superbly capitalised on a defensive mistake after a long ball from Mamardashvili.
The left-back’s run from deep and calm dink over the ‘keeper was impressive and opportunistic.
It was an open game and Brighton then returned to the ascendency, pushing to take the lead again, while Liverpool also had opportunities, mostly from set pieces.
Half-time: Brighton 1-1 Liverpool
Welbeck wins it for the home side
Welbeck had Brighton back in the lead before the hour, finishing from close range after a deep cross that was squared for the former Man United man to tap in.
Mamardashvili made good saves to deny Gomez from a free kick and Minteh from close range.
Slot brought on Ngumoha for Frimpong just after the hour, the teenager needing to add some pace and dynamism to a slow Liverpool attack.
Mac Allister had a good chance from a corner as set pieces continued to look the Reds’ best route back into the game. It was the home side though that looked most dangerous, regularly slicing through Liverpool.
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa (R) has his shot blocked by Brighton & Hove Albion's Jan Paul van Hecke during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot played his usual wildcard by taking off Konate and moving Gravenberch into defence. The home side should have made it 3-1 within seconds of the sub.
Liverpool now had Chiesa, Gakpo, Wirtz and Ngumoha in attack, with Jones at right back and Szoboszlai and Mac Allister in midfield.
As ever, the changes didn’t improve things, and players looked just as confused and disjointed as watching supporters.
Jones cleared off the line with a few minutes left, Brighton pushing for a third. Teenager Ngumoha was Liverpool’s biggest threat going forward.
A third league game without a win and a 10th league defeat of the season.
Next up is the international break, with a trip to Man City in the FA Cup in a fortnight.
Brighton 2-1 Liverpool: Match Facts
Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Milner, Gross; Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh; Welbeck
Subs: Steele, Veltman, De Cuyper, Boscagli, Baleba, Rutter, Ayari, Kostoulas, Mitoma
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong (Ngumoha 63′), Konate (Chiesa 76′), Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 76′); Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Ekitike (Jones 8′)
Subs not used: Woodman, Gomez, Ramsay, Nyoni, Morrison
Referee: Darren England
Next match: Man City (A) – FA Cup Quarter-Final – Saturday, April 4, 12.45pm