The end of an era, the statement Klopp is being criticised for by fans

A stoppage-time winner from Japan's Kaoru Mitoma earned Brighton a 2-1 win over defending champions Liverpool in the FA Cup Round of 32 on Sunday 29 January. The Reds remain in a negative dynamic and left Brighton with one of their best chances of finishing this season with a title.

It is the third season in a row that the defending FA Cup champions have bowed out in the last 16. In 2020-2021 it had happened to Arsenal and in 2021-2022 to Leicester. Jürgen Klopp's side took the lead on the half-hour mark with a counter-attacking goal from Harvey Elliott, who had already been decisive in the previous round against Wolverhampton (1-0). But before half-time (39th minute), from a poorly cleared corner, Tariq Lamptey's 22-yard volley was deflected in by Lewis Dunk, catching goalkeeper Alisson off guard.

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Just when it looked like the game would end in a draw, after Brazil's Fabinho had escaped a red card for a tackle from behind, the home side's goal arrived. From a free-kick, the ball came to Ecuador's Pervis Estupiñán, who slipped the ball through for Mitoma to control and take out Joe Gomez before scoring without dropping the ball with the outside of his right foot (90+2).

<strong>“Maybe we&#39;ll see the positives”</strong>

Scorer of six goals and two crucial passes in the last 11 games, Mitoma is the symbol of Brighton, recovered from the departure of manager Graham Potter to Chelsea and now successfully managed by Italian Roberto de Zerbi. "We conceded two goals from set-pieces, that can't happen to us, no way," Klopp told Radio 5 Live, believing his side "should have defended better. I don't feel good. In time we might see the positives, but we wanted to go through to the next round. We can only congratulate Brighton," resigned the German coach, who has begun to be heavily criticised by fans who just a year ago were praising him every Sunday.