Going to the ‘Supercampeones’: Japan’s Mitoma made Mac Allister and Brighton celebrate with a great goal against Liverpool

It could be Oliver Atom, Steve Hyuga or Tom Misaki, some of the best players of the iconic anime series “Super Champions”. But this Sunday the front pages of England went to the Japanese Kaoru Mitomathat with a movement worthy of a video game made the Argentine world champion celebrate Alexis MacAllister and all the Brightonwhich eliminated defending champions Liverpool from the FA Cup, the longest running club tournament in the world.

One more penalty for the ‘Reds’ in a gray season, with the Champions League duel against Real Madrid in sight. Far from success in the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp’s side leave the Cup with more pain than glory.

The star never gave the feeling of having the game under control and was punished at the last minute, with great determination from Mitoma, who masterfully finished off a cross from the left by Ecuadorian Pervis Estupiñán. The Japanese, best player of the match, lowered the ball, raised it and, ball in the air, fired a high volley, impossible for the Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

The free-kick that led to that heartbreaking goal for the local side had been generated by Mac Allister, who once again had an outstanding performance in the Italian-led team Roberto De Zerbi.

Brighton are having a dream season as they are sixth in the Premier League and now advancing to the last 16 of the FA Cup.

Not even ahead after half an hour Liverpool gave a feeling of superiority. It was an isolated action in an open engagement. A good run from Egypt’s Mohamed Salah down the right ended in a pass to Harvey Elliott, who had no trouble getting past the outgoing goalkeeper Jason Steele.

The ‘red’ goal did not reflect any superiority for the guests, who conceded an equalizer five minutes before the break, after a poor clearance by Joe Gomez who reached Tariq Lamptey outside the area, who fired a shot from distance which touched his teammate Lewis Dunk and confused Alisson. It was the tie.

The clash, with no clear opportunities for either of them, was destined for a ‘replay’, a tie-break at Anfield. However, the local goal arrived when you least expect it, the comeback.

In a set piece on the three-quarter line that led to Estupiñán’s play, the Ecuadorian found Mitoma at the far post, who completed his performance with a great goal, the winner, which qualified Brighton to the round of 16 and eliminated the sample. Liverpool don’t raise their heads.

FA Cup results and schedule

Friday
Manchester City 1 – Arsenal 0

Saturday
Walsall (4N) 0 – Leicester 1
Accrington Stanley (D3) 1 – Leeds United 3
Southampton 2 – Blackpool (D2) 1
Ipswich Town (D3) 0 – Burnley (D2) 0 (replay)
Luton Town (D2) 2 – Grimsby Town (D4) 2 (replay)
Blackburn (2N) 2 – Birmingham (2N) 2 (replay)
Sheffield Wednesday (D3) 1 – Fleetwood Town (D3) 1 (replay)
Bristol City (2N) 3 – West Brom (2N) 0
Fulham 1 v Sunderland (D2) 1 (replay)
Preston North End (D2) 0 – (+) Tottenham 3
Manchester United 3 – Reading (d2) 1

Sunday
Brighton 2 – Liverpool 1
Stoke (D2) 3 – Stevenage FC (D4) 1
(13:30) Wrexham (D5) – Sheffield United (D2)

Monday
​(15:45) Derby County (D3) – West Ham