Danny Welbeck scored twice as Brighton defeated Liverpool 2-1 at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League. Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his side was outplayed in the second half. The loss heightens pressure on Liverpool's Champions League qualification hopes.
Brighton secured a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League on March 21, 2026, at the Amex Stadium. Danny Welbeck netted both goals for the home side, his 11th and 12th of the league season, making him the leading English scorer in the competition. The first came in the 14th minute from a header after a diagonal ball from Ferdi Kadioglu and a nod from Diego Gomez. Liverpool equalized on 30 minutes when Milos Kerkez lifted the ball over Bart Verbruggen following a long kick from Giorgi Mamardashvili and a miscued header by Lewis Dunk. Welbeck restored Brighton's lead in the 56th minute, tucking in a cross from Yankuba Minteh via Jack Hinshelwood, confirmed after a VAR offside check as only a few millimetres onside. Liverpool's day started poorly with Hugo Ekitike limping off after eight minutes in a collision with James Milner, prompting Curtis Jones's early entry. Post-match, Arne Slot conceded Brighton's merit: “The first half was an equal game and the second half they were the better team on the pitch... I think they deserved to beat us.” He cited absences of key scorers, including one out for the season and another unavailable, plus Ekitike's exit, forcing positional changes. Liverpool pushed late with efforts from Cody Gakpo and Jones, but Brighton held firm, with Mamardashvili saving from Minteh. The result marks Liverpool's 10th Premier League loss this season, the most since 2015-16, jeopardizing top-four hopes despite ongoing FA Cup and Champions League campaigns.
