Liverpool vs Brighton - FA Cup Live: Curtis Jones Goal Gives Reds Lead

Liverpool hosted Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield on February 14, 2026, aiming to progress under manager Arne Slot amid a faltering Premier League title defense.[1]

The Reds, seeking silverware via the FA Cup and Champions League, advanced past Barnsley 4-1 in the third round but showed inconsistency lately with mixed league results.[1] Brighton, struggling under scrutiny-faced Fabian Hürzeler, stunned Manchester United earlier but missed key players like Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March, and Yasin Ayari, though Mats Wieffer returned.[1]

Team Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Becker; Kerkez, van Dijk, Konaté, Jones; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah, Chiesa. Subs: Ekitike, Ngumoha, Morrison, Mamardashvili, Gravenberch, Gomez, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay.[3][4]

First-Half Action

The match kicked off with Liverpool dominating early chances. At 11', Mohamed Salah's left-footed shot from a tight angle was blocked, assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai.[4] Milos Kerkez was caught offside at 12'. Cody Gakpo handled the ball at 14'.[4]

Tension built as Federico Chiesa's right-footed effort from the right box was blocked at 41', assisted by Salah. Moments later, at 42', Curtis Jones fired home a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the high center of the net, assisted by Kerkez's cross, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead.[3]

Match Stats (at Halftime)

• Possession: Liverpool 44% - Brighton 56%[6]
• Shots: 7-7[6]
• Shots on Target: 3-2[6]
• Corners: 4-1[6]
• Touches in Opposition Box: 15-7[6]

James Milner eyed a start against his former club, but Liverpool pressed for more.[1] Betting odds favored Liverpool at -198, with over/under 3.5 goals at +102/-136.[5] The Seagulls needed an upset to eliminate the Reds.[1]

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