Brighton 3-2 Liverpool result: Super subs Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma strike as hosts hit back to keep Euro hopes alive against the champions

Super subs Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma were the heroes as Brighton twice came from behind to boost their European hopes with a 3-2 victory over champions Liverpool at Amex Stadium.

Arne Slot’s visitors took the lead on nine minutes when Harvey Elliott tucked in from close range following brilliant play from Conor Bradley down the right.

Brighton pressed for a way back in and deservedly levelled on 32 minutes when Yasin Ayari made a late dash from deep to collect Brajan Gruda’s exquisite, clipped pass and fire low into the corner.

Liverpool had been on the back foot but regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross-shot from the right flew into the far corner.

Brighton again pulled level when Mitoma hammered in the rebound after Danny Welbeck’s shot was saved on 69 minutes.

The hosts then snatched all three points five minutes from time when Hinshelwood tapped in fellow substitute Matt O'Riley’s cross from the left.

The result means Liverpool stay 12 points clear at the summit despite suffering a fourth league loss of the campaign. However, the match was mainly notable from the champions’ point of view for seeing them net in every away game in a top-flight season for the first time.

Next up, Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy following their final match of the season at home to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Brighton, who are now three points clear of Brentford in eighth place, will hope to seal a possible spot in Europe away at Tottenham. 

"Yeah, first of all, coming off the bench I just wanted to make a great impact and work my hardest," he said when asked about his goal to make it 3-2 during a post-match chat with Sky Sports.

"The ball came across, sat up perfectly, and I tapped it in.

"There was a nervous wait [for VAR after it was initially flagged offside] but when it was allowed it was just pure relief."

Hinshelwood explained his celebration was because his partner is pregnant with his first child.

Asked about the impact of Fabian Hurzeler this term, he added: "We've had a few tough spells throughout the season. These things happen when you have a lot of new players and a new manager, trying to adapt to his style. He's brought a great freshness and intensity to the team. The main things is that we are all together. We go through these moments all together.

"Over time we are going to come good together and we can produce moments like tonight. We just need to produce more moments like that going forward."

Kopites will hope Frimpong is the first of many this summer.

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Brighton 3-2 Liverpool.

Mitoma cuts in from the left past two but then rifles off target from 18 yards out.

Perhaps.

There is time for Liverpool to manufacture a chance, but the hosts still look dangerous too.

Eight minutes added.

Brighton will move up to eighth and will be three points clear of ninth-placed Brentford.

Liverpool don't clear their lines from a break and O'Riley is played back in down the left. He fizzes a ball to the back stick for Hinshelwood to blast in from close range.

VAR checks as it's initally given offside, but the goal eventually stands!

Howell and Hinshelwood on.

Minteh and Welbeck off.

*Howell becomes Brighton's youngest PL player.

Mitoma overlaps on the left side of the box but sees his driven cross-shot beaten away by Alisson.

Riley is delighted to see the offside flag after failing with a flashy flick from Mitoma's sublime outside of the foot pass into the six-yard area.

Endo on for Bradley.

Webster booked for a late tackle on Elliott.

O'Riley and Gomez on.

Gruda and Ayari off.

Mats Wieffer overlaps to the left byline and goes down under a challenge from Tsimikas.

There's not much in it and the referee shakes his head.

VAR concurs.

The Seagulls' super sub strikes!

Mitoma crashes in the rebound with a well-controlled volley after Alisson had denied Welbeck.

Verbruggen somehow claws away Salah's close-range snap shot after a delightful flick from Bradley deep inside the Brighton area.

Mitoma on for Adingra.