Premier League champions Liverpool twice let a lead slip as Brighton fought back in style to gain a victory that boosts their slim hopes of securing European football next season.
Substitute Jack Hinshelwood proved to be the match-winner as he made an instant impact and headed in Matt O’Riley’s cross in the 85th minute, with the goal being given following a check by the video assistant referee (VAR) after it had originally been ruled offside.
The Reds led 1-0 and then 2-1 at half-time, before the Seagulls recovered well to move eighth in the table, three points above Brentford.
In an entertaining match at Amex Stadium, Liverpool took a ninth-minute lead through Harvey Elilott following good work from Conor Bradley, before Yasin Ayari equalised with a low strike.
But Dominik Szoboszlai restored the Reds’ advantage in fortunate fashion.
He and Elliott combined to take a quick free-kick, and from the right side of the penalty area Szoboszlai seemingly attempted a cross into the box, only for the ball to fly over the head of home goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen into the net.
Alisson produced a superb fingertip save to deny Danny Welbeck, but could do nothing about Kaoru Mitoma’s strike when he showed great technique to make it 2-2 before Hinshelwood’s winner.
The Seagulls travel to Tottenham on Sunday’s final day of the season, and the team that finishes eighth may qualify for the Uefa Conference League.
However, for that to happen, Chelsea would need to beat Real Betis in the 2025 final on Wednesday, 28 May and then finish seventh in the Premier League, or sixth as long as Newcastle then came seventh.
Captain Salah misses chance to level record
Arne Slot’s side won the title with four games to spare, but have now picked up only two points since. They become the first side in the Premier League era to not win any of their next three matches in the same campaign after becoming champions.
Just as Chelsea and Arsenal had done, Brighton’s players gave Liverpool a guard of honour as the Reds ran on to the field.
Slot gave game time to some fringe members of his squad with Federico Chiesa handed a first Premier League start since his £10m move from Juventus in August.
Virgil van Dijk, who had played every minute of Liverpool’s league campaign, remained among the substitutes, meaning Mohamed Salah, in his 400th game for the club, was named captain for the first time in a Premier League match.
The Reds only needed nine minutes to go ahead with Szoboszlai’s cross-field pass superb flicked on by Salah into Bradley’s path. The right-back then did excellently to get to the byeline and his pass was steered into the net by Elliott.
Bradley, looking to show what he can do with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the club in the summer and set to join Real Madrid, had a glorious chance to double the Reds’ advantage but watched his side-footed shot go wide of the post after good work from Chiesa.
Alexander-Arnold also remained an unused substitute, as Slot opted to not have a repeat of the scenes in which the England international was booed by his own fans when he came on during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
But Brighton’s desire for victory proved greater as Ayari finished off a fine move following Brajan Gruda’s assist, although Szoboszlai’s fortunate goal restored Liverpool’s advantage.
The hosts were the better team after the break and credit must go to boss Fabian Hurzeler as his substitutions proved key, with Mitoma scoring within five minutes of his introduction and Hinshelwood netting 78 seconds after coming on.
That goal from Hinshelwood was the fourth quickest by a substitute in the Premier League this season after he came on with his 17-year-old cousin Henry Howell, who became the youngest Brighton player.
Salah only needs one goal or assist to match the Premier League-era record of 47 goal contributions in one season, currently held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, although their totals came in 42-game campaigns.
With Liverpool leading 2-1, the Egyptian had a great chance to put the game beyond Brighton, only to shoot wide from eight yards when in a central position – and that miss proved crucial.
Salah will have one last chance to match the goal contributions record as Liverpool host FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday, when the Reds will be presented with the Premier League trophy.
Player of the match
K. Mitoma
