Cody Gakpo netted twice to propel defending champions Liverpool into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with an electrifying 3-2 victory over Brighton.
Liverpool maintained their blistering form Under new manager Arne Slot, while Brighton’s struggle in the Carabao Cup continued, having last reached this stage in 1978/79.
After a goalless and uneventful first half, Gakpo broke the deadlock just a minute into the second half, cutting inside and firing an unstoppable shot past the keeper. This ignited the match, with Liverpool’s goalkeeper Vítezslav Jaros, on his full debut, pulling off a stunning one-handed save moments later to deny Simon Adingra’s header.
Evan Ferguson missed a close chance for Brighton, and Liverpool soon had a prime opportunity to double their lead. On a three-on-one break, Gakpo opted to pass to Dominik Szoboszlai, whose attempt was blocked by Brighton’s defense. However, Gakpo quickly made amends, capitalizing on a Tariq Lamptey error to score his second.
Brighton fought back late, and Adingra’s goal following a Liverpool defensive lapse cut the lead in half. But Luis Diaz restored Liverpool’s cushion in the 81st minute, squeezing in a third, and although Lamptey scored a deflected goal in the dying minutes, it wasn’t enough to prevent Liverpool’s advance.
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