Liverpool demonstrated renewed vigor on Saturday at Anfield, delivering a commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion to advance into the fifth round of the English FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Manchester City secured a 2-0 win over Salford City, the League Two side co-owned by former Manchester United stars David Beckham and Gary Neville, in a match that offered fewer shocks than last season but showcased City’s clinical efficiency.
Brighton, who had pulled off an impressive upset against Manchester United in the third round, arrived at Anfield struggling for form.
The Seagulls found themselves outpaced and outmaneuvered by a Liverpool squad that has steadily improved in recent weeks.
In an unusual tactical move prompted by injuries in defense, English midfielder Curtis Jones was deployed at right-back.
He made an immediate impact, bursting into the box to convert a cross from Hungarian full-back Milos Kerkez and open the scoring.
Mohamed Salah, who has battled inconsistency this season, provided a much-needed boost for the Reds.
The Egyptian international first assisted Dominik Szoboszlai, who thundered Liverpool’s second goal into the net, before calmly converting a penalty to register his 252nd goal for the club.
Salah’s contributions underscored his enduring quality and hinted at a potential late-season resurgence in form.
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City faced a more modest test in Salford City, yet the fourth-tier side proved far more competitive than their 8-0 thrashing in last season’s third round.
City took the lead early through an own goal by Alfie Dorrington, but it was England defender Marc Guehi who delivered the decisive strike late in the game, scoring his first goal since joining from Crystal Palace in January.
Manager Pep Guardiola praised Salford’s disciplined defensive effort, noting that the match had remained “flat” until City’s second goal.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United staged a thrilling comeback against a ten-man Aston Villa to win 3-1.
Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali scored twice after Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot’s first-half red card altered the dynamics of the match.
Despite a controversial handball decision against Villa—missed in the absence of VAR—the Magpies rallied, with Nick Woltemade adding a decisive goal to send Newcastle into the last 16, extending their long quest for silverware that has stretched since 1955.
In another notable upset, third-tier Mansfield Town achieved a historic 2-1 victory over Premier League Burnley, reaching the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in over 50 years.
Burnley manager Scott Parker’s decision to rotate his squad backfired despite an early goal from Josh Laurent.
Rhys Oates equalized for Mansfield before Louis Reed sealed the win with a spectacular free-kick in the final minutes.
West Ham United also narrowly progressed, with a 1-0 extra-time victory over League One side Burton Albion, thanks to Crysencio Summerville’s decisive strike.
Saturday’s round reinforced the unpredictable magic of the FA Cup, blending the dominance of England’s top sides with moments of triumph from lower-tier challengers, keeping the competition’s storied drama very much alive.
