Gareth Taylor On FA Cup Exit: “They Got To Grips With How We Were Playing”

TL;DR

Liverpool Women lost to Brighton 3-2 in the FA Cup semi-finals after leading 2-0. Head coach Gareth Taylor noted Brighton's adjustments in the second half as pivotal to their victory.

Key points

Liverpool Women lost 3-2 to Brighton in FA Cup semi-finals
Liverpool led 2-0 before Brighton's comeback
Gareth Taylor criticized refereeing decisions and second-half performance
Liverpool's next match is against Arsenal Women on May 16th

Liverpool WomenBrightonArsenal Women

ST HELENS, ENGLAND - MAY 10: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Head coach Gareth Taylor of Liverpool during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Semi Final match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at BrewDog Stadium on May 10, 2026 in St Helens, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Unfortunately, Sunday’s result did not pan out how any one would’ve hoped for the Liverpool Women. Despite going up early by two goals, Brighton fought back and took the tie by 3, summarily showing the Reds the door out of the FA Cup, once again in the semi-final round. Brighton go on to face Manchester City Women at Wembley and we stay home. “Tough to take,” head coach Taylor told the club website post-match. “We weren’t great second half. Nor was the referee; I don’t know if it’s a penalty or not but a lot of decisions went against us, a lot of inconsistency with yellow cards for us but not for Brighton. And those moments matter. “I think we started the game really well. Conceded a poor goal obviously, from being 2-0 up. “Brighton were better than us second half, they had numerous corners where we looked vulnerable and we concede from too many corners.” Despite having all the control in the first half, Brighton’s adjustments at the interval meant that the control shifted more their way, allowing them to score three goals unanswered and take the tie outright. Even the old ghost of letting a goal in late would be the downfall for the Red Women, as five minutes of added time allowed Nadine Noordham to smash past multiple defenders and find the net. “They just gained territory, they got to grips with how we were playing, put us under a lot of pressure,” Taylor explained. “We then have to go a little bit more direct and they regain possession and start to hurt us with the ball. And we start to suffer a little bit physically and they gain momentum. “We changed things by bringing Aurélie [Csillag] on and trying to get more pressure to the ball and then allow us to maintain possession. “It was a lot of control from Brighton in the second half, more than we would have liked.” Liverpool Women are still mathematically cleared from the drop zone, thankfully, and now go on to face Arsenal Women at Anfield for their last match of the season on May 16th.

Q&A

What did Gareth Taylor say about Liverpool's FA Cup exit?

Gareth Taylor described the loss as tough to take, highlighting Brighton's better performance in the second half and issues with refereeing decisions.

How did Brighton come back to win against Liverpool in the FA Cup?

Brighton scored three unanswered goals in the second half after Liverpool initially led 2-0, capitalizing on Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities.

What is next for Liverpool Women after their FA Cup semi-final loss?

Liverpool Women will face Arsenal Women at Anfield in their final match of the season on May 16th.