Liverpool’s post-title slump continued as they suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Brighton, marking their third consecutive winless game since securing the Premier League trophy. The Reds, who had already wrapped up the league with four matches to spare, became the first team in Premier League history to go three straight games without a win immediately after being crowned champions.
Brighton, fighting to keep their faint European dreams alive, twice came from behind to secure a crucial victory. Substitute Jack Hinshelwood, just 20 years old, emerged as the match-winner, scoring in the 85th minute initially ruled offside before VAR overturned the decision.
The Seagulls, sitting eighth, must now hope Chelsea win the Conference League to secure a European spot. Their resilience was on full display as they exploited Liverpool’s defensive frailties in a thrilling second-half turnaround.
Brighton 3-2 Liverpool
The Reds started strong, with Harvey Elliott firing them ahead in the 9th minute with a stunning strike. However, Yacine Adli leveled for Brighton in the 32nd minute, before Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s lead just before halftime with a deflected cross that wrong-footed goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler’s tactical changes paid off in the second half. Substitute Kaoru Mitoma, introduced in the 64th minute, equalized just four minutes later after capitalizing on a rebound from Danny Welbeck’s shot.
Despite Welbeck squandering multiple chances, Brighton’s relentless pressure finally told when Hinshelwood slotted home from Matt O’Riley’s pass to seal a historic win.
Liverpool’s alarming dip in form has seen them stumble through draws and now a defeat, raising questions about their mentality after securing the title. Meanwhile, Brighton’s victory keeps their European ambitions flickering proving once again that in the Premier League, no champion is safe from an upset.