Cody Gakpo claimed a stunning second-half double as holders Liverpool progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with an absorbing 3-2 win against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The Netherlands international, who scored twice in the Reds’ 5-1 third-round success over West Ham, took his career tally in the competition to eight goals in as many games with a pair of powerful finishes.
Simon Adingra poked home on the rebound 10 minutes from time to halve the deficit before Luis Diaz quickly restored the two-goal cushion for Arne Slot’s side, prior to Tariq Lamptey’s deflected consolation.
Reds goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros produced a fine save to turn an Adingra header against a post at 1-0, while Lamptey and Evan Ferguson also wasted good openings for Albion.
Our goalscorers 😁🤳 pic.twitter.com/djvMd4eRsT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 30, 2024
Following a forgettable first half, the Seagulls were the dominant force in the 17 minutes between Gakpo’s goals but were ruthlessly punished as their quest to reach the last eight of the tournament for the first time in 46 years fell short.
Andy Robertson captained the Reds after being one of only three players retained from the team which started Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal, while Brighton also made eight changes.
Seagulls goalkeeper Jason Steele, who skippered the hosts, survived some nervy moments early on before Lamptey squandered a golden chance for a 13th-minute opener.
After Jan Paul van Hecke’s searching pass picked out Adingra, marauding right-back Lamptey was slipped in on goal, only to shoot straight at Liverpool’s Czech keeper Jaros.
Gakpo then curled wide at the other end moments later as a cagey first half briefly threatened to burst into life.
Liverpool, who sit second in the Premier League table, have lost only once since Dutchman Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
The 10-time League Cup winners were twice denied an opener before the break as Steele repelled a side-footed effort from Dominik Szoboszlai and denied Robertson from a tight angle.
Gakpo stylishly broke the deadlock only 30 seconds into the second half.
The former PSV Eindhoven forward was released on the left by Tyler Morton and, in front of the travelling fans, cut inside Jakub Moder to unleash an eye-catching strike into the far corner from just inside the 18-yard box.
Brighton responded well to falling behind and were unfortunate not to immediately level.
Full debutant Jaros produced a superb save to touch Adingra’s header on to the right post following Lamptey’s surging run down the right, before Ferguson blazed over the crossbar and Brajan Gruda curled wide.
Albion were on top but were caught out defensively as Liverpool doubled their advantage.
Two minutes after Steele saved from Szoboszlai to prevent the Reds capitalising on a three-on-one counter-attack situation following a mistake from Lamptey, Gakpo claimed his second.
Lamptey was again at fault, surrendering possession deep inside his own half, which allowed Gakpo to advance towards goal and viciously thump beyond Steele at the near post.
Brighton blew a two-goal lead late on in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves and threatened to turn the tables by pulling one back.
After Jarell Quansah carelessly conceded possession as Liverpool attempted to play out from the back, Ferguson’s drive was parried by Jaros, only for the alert Adingra to finish the loose ball.
Hopes of a fightback looked to have been swiftly extinguished as Diaz fired low into the bottom left corner via the post in the 85th minute.
However, Lamptey increased the tension going into five minutes of added time when his effort from range flew in off Quansah, before the Reds hung on to remain on course to retain the trophy.
Lucy Bronze refused to count Chelsea out of the Champions League after they went down 4-1 to holders Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final in Spain.Ewa Pajor fired the hosts in front in the 35th minute at the Johan Cruyff Stadium and substitute Claudia Pina made it two with 20 minutes left.Sandy Baltimore pulled one back in the 74th minute, but Irene Paredes got Barcelona’s third wi...
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold says his late winner at Leicester, which put his side on the brink of the Premier League title, will live with him forever.Alexander-Arnold made a stunning return from injury as he climbed off the bench to score the decisive 76th-minute goal in the visitors’ 1-0 triumph at the King Power Stadium.It relegated Leicester and left the Reds needing just t...
Chelsea gave themselves plenty of work to do at Stamford Bridge after substitute Claudia Pina’s brace inspired holders Barcelona to a 4-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in Spain.Ewa Pajor opened the scoring for the hosts in the 35th minute at the Johan Cruyff Stadium after Blues keeper Hannah Hampton had saved a ninth-minute penalty.Pina scored her first with 2...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has his sights set on history after his side moved another step closer to a sixth treble in nine years.A 5-0 Hampden win over St Johnstone set up a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen on May 24.Rodgers and Jock Stein have both completed two trebles, while Martin O’Neill, Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou have one each, and Celtic won three trophies ...
Trent Alexander-Arnold put the Premier League title champagne on ice for Liverpool after scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win which confirmed Leicester’s relegation.Alexander-Arnold, making his comeback from injury, climbed off the bench to score the 76th-minute winner at the King Power and put his side on the brink of glory.The Reds will get their hands on a 20th top-flight title ...
Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United “lack a lot” as their ongoing struggles in front of goal saw them return to earth with a bump in Sunday’s Premier League defeat at home to Wolves.Three days on from the dramatic 5-4 Europa League quarter-final comeback win against Lyon, the rotated Red Devils’ positive performance counted for nothing due to their futility in the final...
Mikel Arteta said he hopes Leif Davis’ “dangerous” red-card tackle on Bukayo Saka will not stop his star winger from playing in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain.Saka was withdrawn just 10 minutes into the second half of Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Ipswich and had an ice pack applied to his right ankle following Davis’ late challenge.Davis ...
Celtic hit four goals in 12 first-half minutes to sweep past St Johnstone and into the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final.The holders wreaked vengeance following defeat in Perth two weeks ago as they won 5-0 to set up a return trip to Hampden to face Aberdeen on May 24.With Celtic needing just one point from their last five matches to wrap up the William Hill Premiership title, the final is set to gi...
The 26-year-old has done quite well for the Italian club this season, and he has five assists in all competitions. He is capable of operating as a full-back as well as a winger. He could prove to be a quality squad player for Tottenham if they can get the deal done. The South American has been linked with Newcastle in the past.According to a report from Spanish publication AS, Barcelona are intere...
Rashford, 27, has rediscovered some form since joining Villa on loan from Man United in the January transfer window, scoring three goals and providing five assists in his 15 games across all competitions.The England international is still expected to leave Man United permanently in the summer, however, and his boyhood club are working on creative ways to ship him out.United have struggled in front...
- 1 Four Tottenham stars could leave this summer
- 2 PL side eyeing summer move for Rashford
- 3 Man City in pole position to secure Morgan Gibbs
- 4 Pop icon with £580M net worth makes appearance at Stamford Bridge
- 5 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 6 Ronaldo shows a side fans never see in tender video for their daughter birthday
- 7 Arteta makes exciting Arsenal transfer claim
- 8 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 9 Newcastle continue to impress in absence of Eddie Howe with Crystal Palace rout
- 10 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive