Angry Brighton Boss Fabian Hurzeler Slams 'Poor' Liverpool Penalty Decision After FA Cup Exit

Liverpool advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on February 14, 2026, but the match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding a late penalty award to the hosts.[1][2][3]

Curtis Jones opened the scoring late in the first half, ending his 57-match goal drought since Boxing Day 2024 with a clever half-volley from Milos Kerkez's cross, despite playing out of position at right-back due to Liverpool's injury woes.[1][2][3] Dominik Szoboszlai added a second with his fifth goal in eight matches, doubling his season tally to ten, in a fine team move praised by manager Arne Slot.[3][4]

The decisive moment came when Mohamed Salah, enjoying his best outing since a fallout with Slot before the Africa Cup of Nations, won and converted a penalty after being tripped by Pascal Gross following a barge past Ferdi Kadioglu. It was Salah's second goal since November 1 and seventh of the season, celebrated passionately before the Kop as Liverpool eye a post-Salah future.[1][2][3]

Brighton created chances, outshooting Liverpool 17-13 with 1.22 xG to the Reds' 1.82, including misses from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gómez, and a close call when Gómez charged down Alisson Becker's clearance.[3][4] Manager Fabian Hurzeler was furious post-match, slamming the penalty as "poor" and undeserved in his TNT Sports interview: "I'm very disappointed... We had enough chances to score... The penalty decided the game."[4][5] He praised his side's start and fans but lamented fine margins and lost belief after conceding.[4]

Slot hailed his team's growing cohesion, noting rare build-up play from the back and Jones' impact amid transfer speculation from Inter Milan. This marks Liverpool's fourth fifth-round appearance in 11 seasons.[1][4]