Brighton & Hove Albion reignited their push for European football with a stunning 3-2 comeback victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, capped by a late Jack Hinshelwood goal that was confirmed via VAR. The result lifts the Seagulls into serious contention for a top-seven finish, just as the season draws to a dramatic close.

The encounter at the Amex Stadium had all the ingredients of a Premier League classic. Liverpool took an early lead through Harvey Elliott in the 9th minute, exploiting a slow start from Brighton. But the hosts, undeterred, fought back with Yasin Ayari scoring the first equalizer after a flowing team move in the 32nd minute.

Liverpool regained control before halftime with Dominik Szoboszlai finding the net, while Mohamed Salah — celebrating his 300th Premier League appearance — missed a golden chance that could have sealed the game. The Reds, under the guidance of Arne Slot, looked far from their title-winning best, perhaps suffering a slight title hangover following celebrations and the manager’s reported Ibiza trip that made headlines.

Brighton’s resurgence came from the bench. Kaoru Mitoma’s equalizer in the 69th minute sparked life into the team as he pounced on a rebound to level the game once again. The Seagulls pressed forward, and it was academy product Jack Hinshelwood who delivered the decisive blow.

In the 85th minute, Hinshelwood latched onto a cross from Matt O’Riley and finished brilliantly. Although initially flagged offside, the VAR decision overturned the call, sending the Amex crowd into raptures. The 20-year-old midfielder’s performance and goal highlight his rapid rise, with fans and pundits now marking him as a future star.

There was also intrigue surrounding Federico Chiesa, who made his Premier League debut for Liverpool but had limited impact. The Reds looked disjointed and were unable to contain Brighton’s momentum late in the game.

As the dust settles, Brighton’s European hopes are very much alive. They now sit in eighth place and will look to finish the job in their final fixture. With potential spots in the Europa Conference League or Europa League still up for grabs, every point — and every goal — counts.

For Liverpool, this match serves as a warning ahead of their summer plans. The title is theirs, but maintaining dominance will require sharper focus and perhaps a deeper squad review under Slot’s leadership.

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