Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup with a dramatic late 2-1 defeat at Brighton courtesy of Kauro Mitoma's late winner.
Both sides had chances in the opening stages as Mohamed Salah came mightily close for the Reds before Irish hotshot Evan Ferguson saw his effort cleared off the line. But it would be Liverpool who took the lead midway through the first half through Harvey Elliott's well-taken strike.
The Seagulls showed great character to grow back into the game and responded with a leveller, albeit in rather fortunate circumstances as Tariq Lamptey's shot was deflected home by Lewis Dunk. Roberto de Zerbi's side then should've taken the lead in the 70th minute but Solly March's shot was well saved by Alisson as both teams tried to win it.
And it was Brighton who found the all-important winner as Mitoma snuck in at the back post before firing past Alisson to spark delirious scenes. Here are five talking points from the south coast.
Liverpool crash out
With the game finely in the balance thanks to goals from Elliott and Dunk, the game was heading for a replay neither side would've wanted for kick-off. That was up until Mitoma struck to shock the Reds with a neat finish as he brought the ball down from Pervis Estupinan's cut-back, before coolly slotting into the roof of the net past Alisson.
It was a moment that sparked jubilant scenes inside the stadium as Brighton secured their second win over the Reds in a fortnight. De Zerbi's team beat Liverpool 3-0 on January 14 and produced a similar result, albeit in rather different circumstances.
For Liverpool, they can now concentrate on the Premier League and Champions League but Klopp will be disappointed he couldn't at least put up more of a fight of defending their trophy. Although Liverpool may have not wanted a replay, there is no doubt Klopp would've taken one rather than losing in the fourth round to Brighton.
Elliott in fine form
After scoring the winner in Liverpool's third-round replay at Wolves, Elliott continued his fine FA Cup form with another strike, this time against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The 19-year-old had a couple of opportunities to score before he eventually struck in the 30th minute.
A flowing Liverpool attack was finished off by Elliott, as he slotted the ball low into the bottom corner after being played through by Mohamed Salah. It was a finish of a man in confidence and Elliott is starting to get back to his best, having played in every game for the Reds this term.
He is the only player in the Liverpool squad to do so and Elliott is also becoming a key cog in Klopp's wheel heading into the second half of the campaign.
Dunk a rare goalscorer
A threat from set pieces, you can usually depend on Dunk chipping in with a couple of goals a season. But it is safe to say not many would've predicted the centre-back to score in the fashion he did, having neatly flicked Lamptey's shot goalbound just before half-time.
Although it is not yet known whether Dunk meant it, he wheeled away in celebration as he did it deliberately for his first goal of the season. The last time Dunk found the net was on March 5, 2022, on the Seagulls' trip to Newcastle - and that was a lot more routine, after heading the ball beyond Martin Dubravka.
Dunk has scored 25 goals across his professional career, including 10 in his first three Premier League seasons. But none have been more bizarre than the defender's strike against Liverpool - 10 years after scoring an own-goal in a fifth-round replay defeat at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold makes feelings clear
As the game entered its final stages, Jurgen Klopp made the decision to make a clutch of alterations. Trent Alexander-Arnold was among those to have been replaced just before the hour mark as he came off in place of James Milner.
The right-back did not look particularly pleased with being taken off as he waltzed off the pitch, he had a distinct look of disappointment on his face after being deprived of the opportunity to help his teammates secure their place in the next round.
Alexander-Arnold did well against the in-form Kauro Mitoma, however, who is one of the most prized players in the Premier League right now. But the England international lacked spark going forward and is struggling to show that same form as he did especially last season.
Brighton miss Caicedo
The Seagulls were without destructive midfielder Caicedo for the visit of Liverpool after he released a statement on social media as he tries to force through a move. Before kick-off, Roberto de Zerbi revealed that the decision is down to the club and the player as deadline day looms.
But there is no doubt Brighton missed him on the pitch against Klopp's side as the Reds managed to cut them open on the counter-attack, especially in the first half. Pascal Gross was forced to play in the holding midfield role in Caicedo's absence but the German isn't the greatest at breaking up possession and slowing the game down.
Whereas Caicedo is a specialist at stopping attacks and Liverpool were able to slice through Brighton at will in the opening half, with the Reds scoring from one as Naby Keita, Salah and Elliott combined well. Dunk had to commit with Gross and Alexis Mac Allister caught him up and it ended in a mess with Elliott sliding beyond Steele.
Meanwhile, on the ball, Brighton weren't as progressive on the ball and that usually starts from Caicedo, who normally drifts between the lines and dictates play alongside Gross and Mac Allister, who act as No.8s.
