Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Liverpool fans unhappy with 'appalling' Jurgen Klopp decision in defeat to Brighton

Liverpool fans were unhappy with second-half substitutions as their defence of the FA Cup came to a disappointing end to the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Kaoru Mitoma's stoppage-time strike completed the comeback for Roberto De Zerbi's side after an unmarked Pervis Estupinan lofted the ball towards the six-yard box.

Harvey Elliott slid the Reds in front in the first-half but they were quickly pegged back after Tariq Lamptey's long-range effort deflected off Lewis Dunk to beat Alisson Becker.

READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings

AS IT HAPPENED: Brighton 2-1 Liverpool - Relive the action

On the hour mark, Jurgen Klopp rang the changes with a triple substitution as James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Darwin Nunez replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita and the Liverpool goalscorer Elliott.

Curtis Jones and Fabinho later replaced Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic but it wasn't enough to inspire a late winner with the game headed towards a replay.

However, the Japanese forward showed great composure and landed the damaging blow to knock the FA Cup holders out of the competition.

There were signs of improvement from Liverpool from their dismal slump two weeks ago at the AMEX Stadium. But again, the Reds came away with nothing and in the aftermath of their exit, fans were in agreement on one of the factors in the defeat.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.