Arne Slot Post-Match: "Szoboszlai is Elite" & Why He Enjoyed No VAR Against Brighton

Liverpool secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield on February 14, 2026, advancing to the fifth round amid a challenging season.[1][2][3]

Arne Slot's side, sitting sixth in the Premier League and grappling with inconsistency following Diogo Jota's loss, delivered a dominant display brimming with energy and precision. Curtis Jones opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, capitalizing on sharp interplay to give the Reds the lead at halftime.[2][3]

The second half exploded into life early. Mohamed Salah, showcasing his vision, set up Dominik Szoboszlai with a sublime first touch in the 56th minute. The Hungarian midfielder—returning from suspension—unleashed a thunderous strike past Jason Steele, doubling the advantage and electrifying Anfield.[1][2] Slot later praised Szoboszlai as "elite," highlighting his surge forward and clinical finish in post-match comments.[1][3]

In the 68th minute, Salah won and converted a penalty after being fouled in the box, sealing the win with his trademark composure. Reflecting to TNT Sports, Salah noted the pressure but emphasized the confidence boost: "It was very big for us."[1] Slot lauded Salah's all-around game, including his defensive contributions, stating it's "very nice to have him on the scoresheet again... but he also helps the team a lot defensively."[3]

Slot expressed rare relief over the absence of VAR, referencing a disallowed goal for Rio Ngumoha—correctly onside—which he deemed unfair. "That's the only thing that was not different... but we were still able to win 3-0 so now no-one talks about it," he said, underscoring Liverpool's resilience despite repeated refereeing misfortunes this season.[3]

Defensive solidity and creativity from players like Cody Gakpo and left-back Milos Kerkez shone through, offering a blueprint for Liverpool's Champions League and top-four push. This statement win injects momentum into a turbulent campaign.[1][3][4]

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