Brighton 3-2 Liverpool Player Ratings: Jack Hinshelwood’s winner keeps Brighton’s European Dream Alive

The visitors made a fine start to the game through Harvey Elliott, who scored from close range. They were pegged back by the hosts, who equalised through Yasin Ayari. Dominik Szoboszlai scored in the only minute of added time to put his side back on top again. Kaoru Mitoma scored the equaliser once again as Brighton continued chipping back into the game. Brighton had to dig deep and come from behind to beat the champions Liverpool 3-2 at home. Jack Hinshelwood had the final say as he converted a cross to win the game in the 89th minute. Despite pressure from the visitors, Brighton saw the game out to keep their European dream alive.

Liverpool spent the last week partying as they had nothing riding on this game.

The players were partying in Dubai, and the coaching staff were spotted in Ibiza enjoying their time off. With only a couple of training sessions, they returned straight to the ground. Mohamed Salah was the only one playing with a purpose to break the assist record, as his teammates were on the beach. Slot handed a full Premier League debut to Federico Chiesa and made some changes to his lineup.

Brighton, too, had nothing to play for this season as they were out of the race for European spots. Fabian Hurzeler's side had a bright start to the season, but a midseason slump saw them crash out of the races. With plenty of injuries, the manager pulled his players onto the field intending to finish as high as possible in the table, as they were about to hit the beach.

Liverpool barely got out of second gear to break down Brighton's defence. Dominik Szoboszlai played a lovely diagonal towards Salah, who played Conor Bradley in first time. The right-back marauded into the box and squared for Harvey Elliott, who converted from close range without any mistake. The champions who partied all week came back and scored with ease. It forced Brighton to buckle up, and the hosts responded by creating some good chances.

The good work paid off as Yasin Ayari notched his first goal for the club. After an intricate move, Gruda fired a lovely pass over Ibrahima Konate's head, which the Swedish international brought down and fired a cool finish past Alisson to level the contest.

With just a minute of added time displayed, the game was set to go into break level-headed, but Szoboszlai had other ideas. The Hungarian international played a short free kick with Elliott before scanning and belting a thumping right-footed shot into the back of the net past an unaware Bart Verbruggen. It gave the visitors a lead to take into the tunnel. Truth be told, they were run ragged by the hosts before scoring an unlikely goal.

The second half had a much more direct and end-to-end tone to it. Brighton looked threatening but missed the finishing touch. That changed when Kaoru Mitoms entered the fray off the bench. He played in Danny Welbeck, whose shot was saved, but Mitoma followed it up and volleyed the rebound home to draw the game level yet again. Another substitute became a hero for the hosts as Jack Hinshelwood turned home a fellow substitute Matt O’Riley’s cross just 45 seconds after coming on. It completed a remarkable turnaround from the hosts, who played much better football than their opponents. They defended resolutely and sealed the result.

Brighton rose to 8th in the table and would be hoping to finish there as the place might get a Conference League spot if Chelsea wins the final against Real Betis. They play Tottenham away from home on the final day and need a point to confirm their 8th spot.
Liverpool remain without a win after sealing the title as they give up the advantage for two weeks running. Arne Slot’s men wouldn’t complain much as they look forward to their coronation day on the final matchday after a game against Crystal Palace at home.

Here are the Brighton vs Liverpool Player Ratings.

Brighton Player Ratings vs Liverpool

GK - Bart Verbruggen-5/10

Had no chance against Elliott's opener. His kicking was wide off the mark as well. He was caught out poorly for the second goal.

RB- Mats Wieffer-7/10

Playing out of position at right-back, he is playing the role smartly by combining defensive steel with offensive solidity.

CB - Jan Paul van Hecke-6.5/10

Lost track of Harvey Elliott as he ran on to meet Bradley's cross to open the scoring.

CB - Adam Webster-6/10

Took the ball actively and wanted to play out from the box. Did well against Chiesa using his physicality.

LB - Pervis Estupinan-7/10

Had to deal with the double trouble of Salah and Bradley. Did just enough, but he was also needed in the attack, where he failed to show up.

DM - Carlos Baleba-6.5/10

Displayed some nice turns to beat the markers and carried the ball effectively into the opposition half with ease.

DM - Yasin Ayari-7.5/10

Scored his first goal for the club with a fantastic finish as he brought the ball down and ran at the keeper. His moment on the ball was very nimble and kept the opposition guessing.

RW - Yankuba Minteh-6.5/10

Provided a potent threat down the left with good dribbles and crosses.

CAM - Brajan Gruda-8/10

Had a penalty shout turned away as the contact was very minimal early in the game. Played a lovely ball over the top for Ayari's goal.

LW - Simon Adingra-6.5/10

Took on Bradley multiple times and, despite getting the better of him a few times, was unable to get anything tangible.

ST - Danny Welbeck-7/10

Had a glorious headed opportunity to equalise the game in the 30th minute, but he fired it wide. Took a fine free kick in the second half as well.

SUB - Kaoru Mitoma-7.5/10

Entered the fray and immediately made an impact as he scored the equaliser with a fine volley.

SUB - Matt O'Riley-6.5/10

Supplied a fantastic cross for the winner.

SUB - Diego Gomez-6/10

SUB - Jack Hinshelwood-6/10

Scored with his first touch on the pitch and was the match winner.

SUB - Howell-6/10

Manager - Fabian Hurzeler-7/10

His sides made a slow start to the game, but he made sure that they woke up and reacted well. Despite creating multiple chances, they fell behind again and had to work harder.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Brighton

GK - Alisson-7.5/10

Yasins Ayari's fantastic shot beat him fair and square. But he made a lot of regulation saves later on.

RB - Conor Bradley-7/10

Defended brilliantly in the box and picked up a lovely assist with a fine run and pass inside the area.

CB - Jarell Quansah-6/10

Stayed on the line and reacted only when it needed his attention. Did well with a new defensive partner.

CB - Ibrahima Konate-5.5/10

Showed some proactive defending as he jumped out of defence to pursue and win the ball. It came back to bite him as he was out of position for the equaliser.

LB - Kostas Tsimikas-6/10

Held his shape against Minteh a few times, but the battle was leaning towards the winger multiple times.

DM - Ryan Gravenberch-6/10

Had a fantastic piece of skill in the first half that brought the crowd to their feet. His passing and tackling were strong as ever.

DM - Dominik Szoboszlai-7/10

Started the game in a deeper role and on the left side. He made the new angles count as he played a fabulous diagonal to Salah for their first goal. Scored a fantastic effort late in the injury time of the first half. Kept losing the ball multiple times.

RW - Mohamed Salah-6/10

Released Bradley a few times as he stayed very wide on the right side, surprisingly. Missed a glorious opportunity to kill the game as he took his eyes off the ball in the last second.

CAM - Harvey Elliott-7.5/10

Got a goal on his rare start as he attacked Bradley's pass and side-footed it home. Looked casual with the ball at times.

LW - Cody Gakpo-6/10

Drove towards the opposition goal and had a few attempts that didn't come off. Played Salah in, but the Egyptian missed it shockingly.

ST - Federico Chiesa-5.5/10

A first Premier League start for him after ages. Produced moments of brilliance with some great passes and touches, but was also equally rusty as he made silly mistakes.

SUB - Luis Diaz-6/10

SUB - Curtis Jones-6/10

SUB - Darwin Nunez-6/10

SUB - Wataru Endo-6/10

Manager-Arne Slot-5/10

Everything about the lineup suggests he's having his eyes on the next season already, as they're trying out new tactics, new personnel, and new positions on the pitch.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Brajan Gruda