Despite receiving a guard of honor, Liverpool's title celebration was cut short as Brighton & Hove Albion secured a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Amex Stadium. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's star forward, struggled to make an impact, earning a modest 5/10 rating in a match that saw the Reds fail to win for the third consecutive time since clinching the Premier League title.

Match Highlights

• Early Lead: Liverpool took the lead within 10 minutes as Mohamed Salah's clever flick set up Conor Bradley, who found Harvey Elliott in the box for the opening goal.
• Brighton's Response: Brighton equalized through Yasin Ayari, who finished accurately past Alisson after a precise pass from Brajan Gruda.
• Szoboszlai's Strike: Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool's lead before halftime with a whipped cross that found the back of the net.
• Mitoma's Impact: Kaoru Mitoma, introduced as a substitute, scored just four minutes after coming on, leveling the score once again.
• Hinshelwood's Winner: Jack Hinshelwood, another Brighton substitute, connected with Matt O'Riley's cross to give Brighton their first lead of the match.

Player Performances

• Mohamed Salah (5/10): Salah missed a golden opportunity to score from close range, contributing to Liverpool's inability to capitalize on their chances.
• Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10): The midfielder pressed well and scored a crucial goal, showcasing his potential for the upcoming season.
• Harvey Elliott (7/10): Elliott timed his runs perfectly, contributing both a goal and an assist in a solid performance.

Manager's Tactics

Arne Slot's team selection blended experience with fringe players, resulting in an attacking match. However, Liverpool's defense momentarily switched off, leading to Brighton's goals. Slot's decision to rotate his squad after the hour mark did not yield the desired impact, as Brighton's substitutes made the difference.

Looking Ahead

Liverpool will aim to bounce back in their final match against Crystal Palace, where they can secure a maximum of 86 points for the season. Meanwhile, Brighton's victory serves as a reminder of their potential to challenge the league's top teams.

Player Ratings

• Alisson (7/10): Made crucial saves but was unlucky with some of the goals conceded.
• Conor Bradley (6/10): Provided an excellent assist but missed a chance to score.
• Cody Gakpo (6/10): Unlucky not to leave with an assist after setting up Salah.
• Federico Chiesa (7/10): Impressed in his first Premier League start, finding space effectively.

Substitutes

• Luis Díaz (5/10): Ineffective despite positive moments on the ball.
• Darwin Núñez (6/10): Stretched the defense with his runs but lacked end product.
• Curtis Jones (6/10): Progressed the ball accurately and pressed well.

Liverpool's loss highlights the challenges of maintaining intensity after securing the title, while Brighton's performance underscores their growing reputation in the Premier League.