Salah Stars as Liverpool Cruise Past Brighton to Reach FA Cup Fifth Round

Liverpool booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 3–0 victory over Brighton at Anfield and on Valentine’s weekend, the Kop fell back in love with Mohamed Salah.

It has not been a flawless season for the Premier League champions, and Salah’s numbers and performances have been scrutinised. But this felt like the old template: decisive moments, ruthless end product, and a display that hinted the narrative could be shifting again.

Arne Slot certainly believes so. Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, he said:

“Now you can see what this team can do.”

Despite the convincing scoreline, the contest was open early on. It took Liverpool until the half-hour mark to truly impose themselves.

The Reds thought they had taken the lead in the 35th minute when Cody Gakpo headed home from a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside. With VAR not introduced until the fifth round of the FA Cup, replays quickly confirmed the assistant referee’s decision a throwback moment that many supporters welcomed, free from lengthy delays.

Liverpool’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 42nd minute. Milos Kerkez, restored to the starting XI after being dropped midweek against Sunderland, drove forward down the left and fizzed a dangerous cross across goal.

Curtis Jones, deployed at right-back, made a darting run and tapped home from close range.

Brighton responded positively. Jack Hinshelwood headed over from inside the six-yard box following a corner, before Diego Gómez squandered a one-on-one opportunity after Jones was dispossessed.

Brighton continued searching for an equaliser after the break. Lewis Dunk forced an excellent save from Alisson early in the second half, but Liverpool’s clinical edge proved decisive.

In the 56th minute, Szoboszlai doubled the lead with his 10th goal of the season and once again, it was spectacular. A delicate touch from Salah released the Hungarian midfielder in behind, and he produced a slicing, powerful finish beyond Jason Steele.

Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers this season. After the match, Salah described him as “one of the best players in the world in current form.”

Salah was not finished. Ten minutes later, the Egyptian powered through the Brighton defence before being brought down in the box.

He stepped up and converted the penalty with authority his signature precision sealing the result.

Anfield rose to its feet when Salah was substituted in the 77th minute, replaced by 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha. The youngster thought he had marked the occasion with a Thierry Henry-style finish cutting in from the left, but the flag was raised and this time, the decision looked tighter.

Brighton created chances but lacked the cutting edge Liverpool possessed.

As Fabian Hürzeler admitted post-match:

“Liverpool’s good quality… decided the game.”

The Seagulls are now goalless in three matches and winless in six across all competitions. Sitting 14th in the Premier League, they are neither in relegation danger nor seriously pushing for Europe a campaign drifting into mid-table anonymity.

For Liverpool, this performance reinforces belief during what has been a volatile campaign.

Curtis Jones, named Man of the Match, looked ahead:

“Hopefully at the end of the year we’ll come away with the Champions League and the FA Cup.”

Arne Slot echoed that optimism, describing this as a transitional season built around youth and long-term growth:

“Most of the signings we have done are really young… there is a lot more to come. The future is bright.”

Liverpool remain a work in progress but nights like this show why belief remains intact.

As Salah received his Valentine’s ovation, Anfield will hope this performance marks the beginning of a late-season love story.