By Razeen Gutta
A stoppage time Kaoru Mitoma strike sent Brighton into the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of defending champions Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp went strong with his line-up and things looked to be going well when Harvey Elliott put the Reds in front on the half hour mark.
His finish made him the highest scoring teenager in the English top flight so far this season with five goals. And despite a controversial VAR call to allow it, the goal lifted the visiting fans.
It was too good to be true though, and Brighton bounced back with a Lewis Dunk deflection to level matters before the break.
Despite three changes on the hour mark, Liverpool’s game management was poor. For Roberto De Zerbi’s side, on the other hand, it was immaculate.
Brighton defended well to ensure they did not lose it, but also went forward in equal measure as they quietly searched for a winner. And late, late on it would be a second victory over the Reds in 15 days.
Mitoma has either scored or assisted in eight of his last 11 appearances for the Seagulls; and his 93rd minute beauty was enough to send the Amex into ecstasy.
The high-flying seagulls were without star midfielder Moises Caicedo, who was left out of the squad following his public plea to be allowed to leave the club to join Arsenal. His absence didn’t matter, as Brighton dashed the Reds’ hopes of keeping hold of this trophy.
For Liverpool, things appear to be going from bad to worse.
Early exits from both cup competitions coupled with being ninth in the Premier League table is not what Klopp would have hoped for.
They next face Wolves in the league at Molineux on Saturday while Brighton have a home clash with Bournemouth.
Pictured above: Kaoru Mitoma
Image source: @BRFootball
