Danny Welbeck scored twice as Brighton dented Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League with a 3-1 victory at the Amex Stadium. The 35-year-old striker, overlooked by England manager Thomas Tuchel for upcoming friendlies, took his Premier League tally to 12 goals this season, making him the highest-scoring Englishman in the division.
Welbeck’s first goal came after a defensive mix-up involving Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Ibrahima Konaté, allowing Diego Gómez to head across goal for Welbeck to score from close range. The second followed when Yankuba Minteh’s cross found Jack Hinshelwood unmarked at the back post, with Welbeck again left free to turn the ball in.
Liverpool’s only goal came from a Lewis Dunk error, when the Brighton defender headed a long ball backwards without checking, allowing Milos Kerkez to flick the ball over Bart Verbruggen. Despite that lifeline, Liverpool could not find an equaliser, with Mamardashvili making several sharp saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot blamed the defeat on injuries sustained after their midweek Champions League win over Galatasaray, with Mohamed Salah and Alisson both ruled out, and striker Hugo Ekitiké limping off early with a dead leg. “As has happened so many times this season, after we’ve played a good game, we couldn’t bring that level again,” Slot said.
The defeat was Liverpool’s 10th in the Premier League this season, the first time they have lost that many in a league campaign since 2014-15. Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler praised Welbeck’s all-round contribution, saying: “He’s always there to connect the different ages, the different cultures. He’s a social leader. That attitude definitely helps if you want to achieve something in a World Cup.”
