Danny Welbeck scored his 11th and 12th Premier League goals of the season as Brighton & Hove Albion inflicted more misery on Liverpool.

The 35-year-old gave Brighton an early lead and, though Arne Slot's side levelled through Milos Kerkez, scored again in the second half to make it four wins out of five for Brighton, who moved up to eighth before the remainder of the weekend's games.

No English player has scored more goals than Welbeck in the top flight this season yet he was overlooked by Thomas Tuchel for his 35-man England squad on Friday.

As for Liverpool, this was their 10th defeat of the Premier League season. The last time they lost that many games was in 2015-16, and defeat means Chelsea could leapfrog them into fifth when they take on Everton (17:30 GMT).

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes at Amex Stadium because of a nearby road accident and when play did eventually start, a frenetic first half was littered with mistakes.

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike was forced off with a worrying injury early on after clashing with James Milner and minutes later, Brighton took the lead.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, again standing in for the injured Alisson in the Liverpool goal, passed the ball out of play and from the resulting throw-in, Ferdi Kadioglu's cross found Diego Gomez, who headed the ball across goal and Welbeck was on hand to head past the Liverpool keeper.

It was a Brighton error which led to the equaliser as Lewis Dunk tried to head back a long ball from Mamardashvili to Bart Verbruggen but Kerkez did brilliantly to anticipate it and dink the ball over the Brighton keeper and into the net.

It was Brighton who started the better after the break with Mamardashvili making a good save to deny Kadioglu before Mats Wieffer headed wide from a corner.

And they were rewarded for their endeavour when Yankuba Minteh's delivery across goal found Jack Hinshelwood, who played the ball into the path of Welbeck to finish.

Brighton could have scored more but Mamardashvili made some crucial saves and at the other end, Liverpool came close through Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, but Slot's side could not find another leveller.

Despite winning emphatically against Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek, Liverpool have only gained one point from their past three Premier League games.

Brighton analysis: Welbeck for England?

After a first half where both sides repeatedly lost the ball carelessly, Brighton deserve credit for exploiting Liverpool's tired legs after the interval.

Fabian Hurzeler waited until the 76th minute to turn to his bench and his side regularly carved Liverpool open after the break. They were deserved winners, with this win ensuring they are well and truly in contention for European football.

The Seagulls have now won four of their last five Premier League games (L1), as many as in their previous 18 in the top-flight (D7 L7).

As for Welbeck, what a season he is having. After his first goal, he cupped his ears in celebration.

Was that a message to the Liverpool fans from the former Manchester United striker or to Thomas Tuchel, who did not pick him in the England squad for the March internationals?

His double here took his tally of Premier League goals this season to 12, his outright most in a campaign.

Liverpool analysis: Shambolic title defence continues

From the very outset, Liverpool looked all over the place on the south coast.

Slot has not been helped by injuries, with neither Alisson nor Mohamed Salah making the trip down but - despite the short turnaround from Wednesday - the Liverpool boss made just the two enforced changes.

Perhaps the Dutchman made this call with the knowledge that an international break is coming up but, of their 10 Premier League games following a Champions League match this season, Liverpool have won four and lost five.

Slot should know by now that his side struggle after those midweek games and coming away to Brighton is never an easy task.

Losing Ekitike early on to injury did not help either, though Slot said after that he had a dead leg and could play "tomorrow if he wanted to".

Defensively, they were cut open easily and have now conceded 42 Premier League goals this season, more than in each of their past two campaigns.

The last time Liverpool came here, it was party time after winning the Premier League title. That title defence has been nothing short of shambolic.

What's next for both sides?

After the international break, Liverpool travel to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals (4 April, 12:45 GMT) while Brighton next play on 11 April (15:00 GMT) away to Burnley in the Premier League. (TRIBUNE)