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.
