Brighton beating Liverpool used to be a surprise – but not anymore
Brighton celebrated a huge win over Liverpool at the Amex, taking their ticket into round five of the FA Cup. The Albion prevailed 2-1 and it vividly recalled triumphs of the past against the Reds.
Now it is becoming clear to the football world that nothing is done by accident at Brighton. Every decision and move is planned and considered.
The sales the club make of interested players, the departure of Graham Potter, the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi and how quickly he has adapted to the Amex… it all it just leads to more success.
Brighton are an extremely organised club at all levels. It exudes health and has learned not to be affected by anything that takes place around it, instead giving its answers on the playing field.
There was no more typical example than Brighton’s response to all the discussions around Moises Caicedo. The Seagulls left their star midfielder at home until the transfer window closed and silenced the noise by beating Liverpool without him.
To win the Liverpool game, Brighton had to show fight. The Reds led thanks to Harvey Elliott’s goal. The Seagulls equalised immediately thanks to Lewis Dunk and lots of hard fight ended when Kaoru Mitoma scored in added time for mission accomplished. Liverpool are now out of the FA Cup and League Cup.
This was the third time Brighton had beaten Liverpool in the FA Cup and the first to take place in the 21st century.
The Seagulls first eliminated the Reds 40 years ago, the same season Brighton were relegated to Division Two. It was another 2-1 success and the Seagulls reached the Wembley final of this institutional competition, losing a replay 4-0 to Manchester United after the first game ended 2-2.
A year later and history repeated itself with Brighton eliminating Liverpool for a second season running, winning 2-0 at the Goldstone Ground.
This time it was an even greater feat as the Reds won the European Cup, English title and League Cup in 1984 – everything except the FA Cup, thanks to the second division Seagulls.
To understand the greatness of Liverpool back then, it is enough to think we are taking about a that won seven championships between 1976 and 1984, four European Cups, four League Cups and a UEFA Cup.
Relegated Brighton and then Division Two Brighton beating Liverpool used to be a surprise in the 1980s, but not anymore.
The Seagulls are sixth in the Premier League and in the last 16 of the FA Cup. Brighton fans are getting used to expecting to beat teams like Liverpool, a sign of how far the club have come and a tremendous achievement for Robert De Zerbi and his players.
Dimitris Manakos @dimitris_manakos / England365.gr
