Brighton & Hove Albion forward Danny Welbeck delivered a decisive performance, scoring twice to hand Liverpool FC a 2-1 defeat and dent their push for a Champions League spot.
The visitors, managed by Arne Slot, travelled without key stars Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah, and were already under pressure following recent poor results.
Brighton took control early at the Amex Stadium, with Welbeck heading home the opener before later adding a second under tight VAR scrutiny to take his league tally to 12 goals for the season.
Liverpool briefly found a way back into the contest after a defensive error from Lewis Dunk allowed Milos Kerkez to equalise with a quick-thinking finish.
However, the Seagulls regained the lead in the second half when Welbeck reacted quickest to a well-worked move, sealing his brace and putting the hosts back in front.
The result marks Brighton’s fourth win in five matches, lifting them into the top half of the table, while Liverpool’s struggles continued. Their situation worsened further after top scorer Hugo Ekitike was forced off early with an injury.
Despite late substitutions and a push for another equaliser, Liverpool failed to break through again, with Brighton holding firm through stoppage time to secure all three points and leave the Reds without a win in their last three league outings heading into the international break.
