Mohamed Salah delivered a performance that Liverpool manager Arne Slot described as “very positive,” contributing both a goal and an assist in the Reds’ comfortable 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on .
Curtis Jones opened the scoring for Liverpool, netting his first goal in 58 matches, before a quickfire double – sparked by Salah’s deft assist for Dominik Szoboszlai and a penalty won and converted by the Egyptian himself – sealed the win and progression to the next round. The result continues Liverpool’s strong form under Slot and sets up an intriguing quarter-final tie.
While Salah’s goal was only his second for the club since , his overall contribution has been increasingly noticeable since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty. Slot highlighted the 33-year-old’s improved defensive work rate as a key aspect of his evolving role within the team.
“We see very nice to have him on the scoresheet again, but what I like the most is he scoring goals – you can almost expect that – but he also helps the team a lot defensively and that is something very positive,” Slot said after the match. This defensive commitment, coupled with his continued attacking threat, suggests a player adapting to the tactical demands of his new manager.
The assist for Szoboszlai was a particularly eye-catching moment, showcasing Salah’s skill and vision. The Egyptian cushioned a pass perfectly into the path of his teammate, allowing Szoboszlai to unleash a powerful strike. Salah himself was quick to praise Szoboszlai, describing him as “one of the best players in the world” – a sentiment echoed by Slot.
“I think there are a lot of very good to elite football players in the world, but I definitely agree with Mo that Dom is one of them,” Slot stated. The Liverpool manager sees Szoboszlai as a model for future signings, demonstrating the benefits of bringing in young players from other leagues and allowing them time to develop.
“Dominik is a great example of the model we are using at this club. We sign young players from another league… The player we brought in was already good but where is he now, he is much better than where he was two-and-a-half years ago. That is what you get if you sign young players, give them a bit of time and let them play a lot,” Slot explained. He believes players like Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, also Bundesliga imports, will follow a similar trajectory of improvement.
The victory wasn’t without its challenges. Brighton, despite the scoreline, created several opportunities, particularly in the first half. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler lamented missed chances from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez as pivotal moments in the match.
“Moments decided the game, unfortunately in the wrong direction,” Hurzeler said. “We had two big chances where we had to score. The second half the same. They had the quality to use their chances. We weren’t able to be that effective. It was a disappointing result for us.”
Liverpool’s win secures their place in the sixth round of the FA Cup, continuing their pursuit of a domestic double alongside their Premier League title challenge. The team’s ability to overcome a resilient Brighton side, coupled with Salah’s revitalized form and Szoboszlai’s continued excellence, provides a strong foundation for success in both competitions. The performance also underscores Slot’s growing influence on the team, shaping a dynamic and effective attacking unit.
For Brighton, the defeat represents a fourth loss in five matches, raising questions about their recent form. Hurzeler will be looking for a response from his team as they turn their attention back to the Premier League. The missed opportunities at Anfield will undoubtedly be a source of frustration, highlighting the fine margins that often separate success and failure in top-level football.
The FA Cup, as always, continues to provide compelling narratives and unpredictable results. Crystal Palace’s victory in the 2024-25 edition, defeating Manchester City in the final, demonstrated the competition’s capacity for upsets. Liverpool will be hoping to add their name to the list of FA Cup winners, but they will face stiff competition from a number of ambitious teams vying for the coveted trophy.
