Mohamed Salah gives glimpse of past glories but questions over future remain
Mohamed Salah patted the badge on his chest as the Kop chorused his song. If it felt like old times, it did in another respect. Salah was back on the scoresheet, able to celebrate with his public again.
His 252nd goal for Liverpool was only his second since his incendiary interview at Leeds. The process of reintegration began with a cameo against Brighton in December. It accelerated with a penalty against Albion in February.
He won it and scored it, tripped by Pascal Gross, rifling his shot into the roof of the net. He had only struck once in his previous 12 games for Liverpool, and that was against Qarabag.
He had not found the net against a Premier League club since Aston Villa’s visit at the start of November. But a night when Salah, as he has done with remarkable frequency over his Liverpool career, both assisted and scored a goal, this felt like another step in the healing process.
Read Richard Jolly’s full report from Anfield:
Luke Baker14 February 2026 22:35
Curtis Jones wants the FA Cup and Champions League this season with Liverpool. And why not
Luke Baker14 February 2026 22:23
Salah receives standing ovation
A good night for Moahamed Salah – a goal, an assist and a standing ovation from the Liverpool fans when he was substituted off. Bridges being mended.
Luke Baker14 February 2026 22:15
‘A night when a lot of things went right’
Final thoughts from our Senior Football Correspondent, Richard Jolly, at Anfield tonight:
“Comfortable for Liverpool in the end. A night when a lot of things went right.
“Jones may have earned himself a run at right-back now. Szoboszlai looked terrific in midfield. Kerkez played well.
“Salah got a goal and an assist in trademark fashion. And going 3-0 up allowed Slot to give various players a rest at the end.”
(AP)
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:57
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 3-0 Brighton
All over at Anfield. That was pretty comfortable for Liverpool in the end and a good performance from Arne Slot’s men.
Curtis Jones, Domink Szoboszlai and a Mohamed Salah penalty did the damage.
They’re into the fifth round draw, which takes place on Monday. Plenty for Brighton to consider though.
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:54
Liverpool 3-0 Brighton, 90 mins
Gakpo and Jones off as Trey Nyoni and Calvin Ramsay get a late run out for Liverpool
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:50
Liverpool 3-0 Brighton, 89 mins
Rutter has a sight of goal and curls just wide of the far post. No consolation goal for the Seagulls it seems.
There will be four minutes of injury time
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:49
Liverpool 3-0 Brighton, 86 mins
Into the final knockings here. Liverpool are cruising into the fifth round.
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:46
NO GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Brighton, 82 mins
Ah, this is really unlucky for young Rio Ngumoha. It’s a stunning finish, curled into the far corner after Gakpo’s neat ball through but the flag goes up for offside to rule it out.
Replays show it’s VERY tight. There’s no VAR in the FA Cup at this stage but if there was, I think he may have juuuuuust been onside? We’ll never know
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:43
Liverpool 3-0 Brighton, 80 mins
Brighton have looked decent tonight but there’s been no cutting edge at all. It’s a worry for Fabian Hurzeler who have been sliding down the Premier League table recently.
Crunch games against Brentford and Forest coming up
Luke Baker14 February 2026 21:39