Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's first goal under pressure from Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)placeholder image
Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's first goal under pressure from Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool player ratings from the 2-1 loss against Brighton in the Premier League at the AMEX Stadium.
Liverpool’s chances of securing Champions League qualification suffered another blow as they fell to a 2-1 loss against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium.
The Reds’ winless run in the Premier League stretched to three matches, with Arne Slot’s side missing an opportunity to move fourth in the table and handing rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa with an opportunity to capitalise.
While Liverpool’s squad was much depleted, with Mo Salah and Alisson Becker absent, and they lacked energy playing just 62 hours after the Champions League win over Galatasaray, the defeat did nothing to alleviate any pressure on Slot’s position as head coach.
Liverpool lost Hugo Ekitike to injury inside eight minutes - and were behind six minutes later when Danny Welbeck headed home from close range.
But the Reds were level on the half-hour mark, with Brighton captain Lewis Dunk’s mistake being punished by Kerkez, who produced a fine finish over home goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The remainder of the first half ebbed and flowed, although neither side could produce a clear-cut chance.
But 11 minutes into the second period, more poor defending from Liverpool allowed Brighton to regain the lead. Diego Gomez was left unmarked and he teed-up Welbeck, who stayed onside and deftly finished.
And in truth, Liverpool hardly threatened to get anything from the game. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo had efforts saved but Mamardashvili was called into action a couple of times to ensure Brighton did not stretch clear.
It was the Reds’ 10th league loss of the campaign - the first time since 2015-16 - and they have an uphill battle to deliver Champions League qualification for next term.
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