Gakpo fires double as defending champions Liverpool beat Brighton to reach last-eight
Cody Gakpo scored twice and Luis Diaz drilled in a late winner as Liverpool edged out Brighton 3-2 to progress to the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Liverpool ensured they would not be the fourth straight holders of the League Cup to slump out in the fourth round of the competition, albeit late goals from Simon Adingra and Tariq Lamptey had the visitors holding on at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday.
The Reds were also indebted to goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who made a fantastic stop to deny Adingra shortly after Gakpo’s thumping effort had broken the deadlock early in the second half.
Gakpo doubled his tally in the 63rd minute, just after Dominik Szoboszlai had squandered a golden opportunity.
Though Adingra pulled one back in the 81st minute, Diaz’s strike restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion before Lamptey’s deflected effort set up a grandstand finale, but the Reds held on to book their spot in the last-eight.
Lamptey should have put Brighton ahead early on, but was unable to beat Jaros one on one. Jason Steele was sharp at the other end to thwart Szoboszlai and Andrew Robertson.
Brighton’s goalkeeper could do little to prevent Gakpo’s blistering effort finding the right-hand corner just after the restart, before his counterpart Jaros made an excellent stop to deny Adingra an instant leveller at the other end.
Jaros’ work was rewarded when, despite Szoboszlai making a mess of a great chance, Liverpool’s second arrived when Gakpo drilled in his eighth EFL Cup goal since the start of last season.
Jarell Quansah’s mistake gifted Brighton a route back into the game – Adingra poking home after Jaros had parried Evan Ferguson’s shot.
Diaz’s tidy effort four minutes later appeared to have Liverpool home and hosed, only for Quansah to deflect in Lamptey’s strike in the 90th minute. Thankfully for the defender, who was subsequently subbed off, Arne Slot’s team held firm from there.
Talking Point – Gakpo’s dream turns into Quansah’s nightmare
Gakpo was sensational throughout – a constant menace in the first half, he turned that threat into goals in the second, with both of his finishes brilliant in their own way. Quansah, though, had a second half to forget.
The youngster, who was subbed off by Slot at half-time in Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Ipswich Town back in August, never regained his composure after making the mistake that led to Brighton’s opener, and ultimately had to be taken off again this time around.
Player of the Match – Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
No surprises here. Gakpo had three shots and converted two of them. He caused Brighton a headache all night, and is showing excellent form under his compatriot Slot, especially now he is being played in his preferred role out on the left wing.
Player Ratings
Brighton: Steele 5, Lamptey 6, Igor Julio 6, Van Hecke 5, Kadioglu 6, Moder 5, Wieffer 5, Gruda 6, Enciso 6, Adingra 8, Ferguson 5. Subs: Welbeck 6, Mitoma 6, Estupinan 6, Veltman 6, Hinshelwood 6.
Liverpool: Jaros 7, Bradley 6, Gomez 6, Quansah 4, Robertson 7, Jones 6, Endo 6, Szoboszlai 5, Morton 6, Gakpo 9, Diaz 8. Subs: Konate 6, Nunez 6, Mac Allister 6, Salah 6, Nyoni 6.
Match Highlights
13’ – Save! Brighton 0-0 Liverpool (Jaros): A long ball from the back catches Liverpool’s defence cold, and Adingra races onto it. He manages to slide it forward to Lamptey, but with just the sprawling Jaros to beat, he sends his finish straight into the goalkeeper.
46’ – Goal! Brighton 0-1 Liverpool (Gakp0): Oh, my! What a goal! Gakpo stands still in celebration after absolutely nailing a brilliant opener for the Reds! He had space again down the left wing, and with Robertson making a good run to create space, the Dutch international charged inside and unleashed an unstoppable right-footed canon of a shot that crashed into the right-hand corner. Steel had no chance! Liverpool lead.
49’ – Save! Brighton 0-1 Liverpool (Jaros): That is a brilliant stop from Jaros! Liverpool’s goalkeeper was heading the wrong way as he stuck out his left arm to try and get to Adingra’s header, after the Brighton winger had met Lamptey’s right-wing cross. Jaros parries the ball wide, just. What a stop.
62’ – Save! Brighton 0-1 Liverpool (Steele): How has that not gone in? That is so wasteful from Liverpool. They had a three-on-one, with Gakpo – as he has done all night – leading the break, with Diaz and Szoboszlai in support. Estupinan gets back, and Gakpo’s pass into Szoboszlai isn’t perfect. The former RB Leipzig star has to take a touch, and that allows Steele to make an excellent save, but it really should have been 2-0!
63’ – Goal! Brighton 0-2 Liverpool (Gakpo): It’s 2-0 to the Reds now, and it’s that man Gakpo again. This time, he takes the selfish option at the end of a counter-attack he started himself by barging Lamptey off the ball and driving into the box. With Van Hecke standing off, Gakpo gets his head up and arrows a brilliant attempt in at Steele’s near post. Is that job done for Liverpool?
81’ – Goal! Brighton 1-2 Liverpool (Adingra): Game on! A terrible error from Quansah sees the defender gift the ball to Ferguson, whose strike is parried by Jaros. Adingra reacts swiftly, though, and acrobatically gets to the ball before the Liverpool goalkeeper to prod home a goal he has certainly been worthy of.
85’ – Goal! Brighton 1-3 Liverpool (Diaz): Moments after making a fine save to deny Liverpool, Steele is beaten again and, surely, that will be this game done? Diaz escaped Wieffer, whose challenge was lazy and tired, before dropping his shoulder, taking a touch and brilliantly finishing between Veltman’s legs, with the ball kissing the upright on its way in. What a finish!
90’ – Goal! Brighton 2-3 Liverpool (Lamptey): Brighton have some hope! Lamptey gets off a left-footed strike from 20 yards out. It’s hardly the strongest attempt, but Quansah is in an awkward position, and the youngster only manages to skew the ball beyond Jaros and into the back of the net. Game on… Again!
Key Stats
Since the start of last season, no other player has scored as many League Cup goals as Cody Gakpo (eight).
Liverpool have now won all three of their League Cup meetings with Brighton, with this victory following triumphs in 1985/86 and 2011/12.
