FA Cup LIVE! Jones Fires Liverpool Ahead Against Brighton

Liverpool hosted Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield on February 14, 2026, with manager Arne Slot aiming to keep his side's trophy hopes alive amid a faltering Premier League title defense.[1]

The Reds, fresh off a 4-1 third-round win over Barnsley, have shown inconsistency lately—two wins, one draw, and two defeats in recent league games. The FA Cup and Champions League represent their main silverware chances this season. Brighton, under pressure on manager Fabian Hürzeler, stunned Manchester United in the third round but have struggled recently, losing their last two matches.[1]

Team News

Liverpool fielded a strong lineup: Becker in goal; Kerkez, van Dijk, Konaté, Jones; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah, Chiesa. Subs included Ekitike, Gravenberch, and Robertson.[2][3]

Brighton welcomed back Mats Wieffer but missed Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March, and Yasin Ayari. James Milner eyed a start against his old club.[1]

First-Half Action

The match kicked off at 8:00 PM UTC. Early chances saw Mohamed Salah's left-footed shot blocked (11'), Milos Kerkez offside (12'), and Cody Gakpo penalized for handball (14').[3]

Tension built: Chiesa's right-footed effort blocked (41'), Kerkez winning a free kick (41'). At 42', Curtis Jones fired Liverpool ahead with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Kerkez's cross—1-0![2]

Halftime arrived with Liverpool leading 1-0, ending the first half on a high note.[4]

This marks the seventh FA Cup meeting between the sides, with each advancing three times historically.[6] Liverpool, favored at -198 odds, seek to avoid an upset from the Seagulls (+436).[5]

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