Liverpool slipped in their push for Champions League football next season after the Reds were beaten 2-1 at the Falmer Stadium by Brighton in an early Premier League kickoff game on Saturday. 

Former Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck was the star of the match as he bagged a brace to boost Brighton chances of playing at least in the Conference League next season. 

The 35-year-old opened the scoring for Brighton in the 14th minute when he headed home a flicked ball past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili but Liverpool equalised exactly on the half hour mark as Milos Kerkez looped a backward header by Lewis Dunk into the net. 

The Reds appeared to relent on resumption of the second half and Brighton capitalised on the slip after Welbeck tapped home a pass from Jack Hinshelwood to restore the hosts’ advantage.

Both teams made several unsuccessful attempts to score again in the encounter but the two goals from Welbeck were enough to make it four wins in five matches in the league for Brighton.

Liverpool, on 49 points, remain fifth on the table but risk dropping to sixth should Chelsea get a win or a draw in their match against Everton later on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Brighton moved to eighth on the table with 43 points. The Seagulls are currently tied on equal points with Everton.