On Sunday, Brighton eliminated FA Cup champions Liverpool, and Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham, saw his non-league team denied a dramatic victory by Sheffield United in a six-goal thriller.
Liverpool’s season is crumbling just months after they came dangerously close to winning a historic quadruple. Kaoru Mitoma’s brilliant control and finish in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory for Brighton was another huge blow to Liverpool.
Harvey Elliott gave the Reds the lead at the Amex, but they have only won once in their last six games overall.
Lewis Dunk pulled the home team even before halftime, and Mitoma’s moment of brilliance earned them a spot in the fifth round.
In the 92nd minute, the Japanese winger deflected a cross from Pervis Estupinan into his path, flicked the ball over Joe Gomez, and fired high past Alisson Becker.
Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton, called him an incredible player who he thinks can play one step higher. He said, “I’m happy for his goal.”
Liverpool is currently ninth in the Premier League, 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.
After losing in the FA Cup’s fourth round, they have no other chance to win a trophy this year besides the Champions League.
When the teams faced off earlier this month, Jurgen Klopp called Brighton’s 3-0 victory a “horror show.”
At least the German coach was inspired by his team’s heroic effort on Sunday.
We lost to a good team that we also lost to two weeks ago in a terrible game. Although I wasn’t thrilled with this performance, the only real outcome was that we lost. Leandro Trossard, who scored a hat-trick against Liverpool earlier in the season, has already left Brighton for the Gunners this month.
Although they were not present, Liverpool was left to rely on luck for the majority of the second period.
Ibrahima Konate and Fabinho were extremely fortunate not to be sent off for their challenges on Alexis MacAllister and Evan Ferguson.
Mitoma’s fourth goal in six games finally paid off for Brighton as they applied pressure.
However, Liverpool’s season isn’t going well.
Klopp needs to work on his team’s problems before they face league champion Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in two weeks because the Reds are out of the FA Cup and are currently ninth in the Premier League standings, 10 points outside of a Champions League spot.
