BRIGHTON, England - Danny Welbeck netted twice as Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Liverpool 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, shaking up Premier League European qualification.
Liverpool, held in fifth with 49 points, have claimed just one point from their last nine available. Brighton climbed to eighth on 43 points, eyeing European football next season.
A 15-minute kickoff delay due to fan traffic didn’t slow Brighton. Welbeck opened scoring with a 14th-minute header. Milos Kerkez equalized after a Lewis Dunk error, but Welbeck tapped in the winner at 56 minutes - confirmed after VAR review.
Liverpool’s woes deepened: Hugo Ekitike injured early; Mohamed Salah and Alisson sidelined. Manager Arne Slot faces mounting pressure after a timid performance and 10th league loss.
Yankuba Minteh nearly sealed it, but Giorgi Mamardashvili denied him - one of several critical saves.