There were noticeable differences for the sequel. This time Brighton would play the part of hosts, but many of the component parts behind their 1983 FA Cup run were no longer at the club. The biggest change had seen Melia resign in October 1983.
After suffering relegation to Division Two prior to the FA Cup final, Melia was under pressure. Chris Cattlin was drafted in as a coach during the summer - an appointment that Melia was opposed to - and just five months after leading Brighton out at Wembley, Melia stepped down.
Speaking from Portugal - Melia was manager of Second Division Belenenses - he spoke frankly about the end of his time at Brighton, and was strong in his opinions about the forthcoming FA Cup tie. "When Brighton forced me out after I'd made them £1 million from two Cup final matches and selling two players, I was hurt."
"Well, I hope that this time Brighton get well and truly stuffed. Not for some of the players like Steve Foster and Jimmy Case who supported me so loyally, but for those others behind the scenes who got me out."
Cattlin was the antithesis of his predecessor. Whereas Melia enjoyed the media spotlight and the trappings involved, former Brighton player Cattlin adopted a much more disciplined approach to management. "I'm a low profile manager," Cattlin admitted. "I believe this game is about players and the people who pay to watch them."
Losing Gary Stevens to Tottenham, and Michael Robinson to Liverpool, leading Brighton back to the top flight was never going to be easy for Melia and then Cattlin. Sitting in tenth place in Division Two as Liverpool arrived for the fourth round clash, it was FA Cup or bust again for the Seagulls.
Liverpool were having a season to remember, even by their high standards. Involved in a battle with Manchester United for the title, the club were 100/30 to win the FA Cup and as short as 9/2 for the double. Bob Paisley may have departed at the end of the previous season, but with Liverpool hunting a quadruple, the transition to new manager Joe Fagan seemed seamless.
It was little wonder that Liverpool were such an attractive proposition for TV bosses, although not all were happy that once again the club was chosen for the sole live match of the FA Cup weekend. "Television is in danger of becoming obsessed with Liverpool," David Lacey wrote in the Guardian.
"Sooner or later someone is going to have to take another chance with a match not involving the interests of Anfield or Old Trafford," Lacey continued. This argument could definitely be applied to some of the recent Manchester United FA Cup television selections. But the Brighton-Liverpool tie in January 1984 did at least offer the prospect of a shock.
Tony Grealish - one of five Wembley survivors in Brighton's starting XI - was confident that Liverpool could be beaten. "People now know the impossible can happen and I really fancy us to pull it off again. Liverpool must be worried that we are a bogey side to them - our record against the best team in the country is good."
Jimmy Greaves, writing in the Mirror, was less than optimistic regarding Brighton's chances. "The way Liverpool are shaping, they could win everything this season including the Boat Race. But such a blanket monopoly will do blankety-blank for the game outside Merseyside." Thankfully football is played on grass (and a lot of mud in the 80s); on the south coast, Liverpool's double hopes would be sunk.
Liverpool were not helped by the absence of Kenny Dalglish. Ruled out for eight weeks after fracturing his cheek against Manchester United, Dalglish's place would be taken by former Brighton forward Michael Robinson. The Republic of Ireland international would have an afternoon to forget though.
The ITV coverage started at 2.30, just five minutes before the kick off, with Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson assisting the excellent Brian Moore on commentary. A crowd of 19,057 saw Brighton start in positive fashion on a chilly but sunny day at the Goldstone Ground. It soon became clear that Liverpool would not have an easy passage into the next round.
Wide players Neil Smillie and Steve Penney were a constant threat throughout to Liverpool full backs Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy, and although Jimmy Case missed out against his old club due to suspension, Grealish and Danny Wilson were tireless in midfield. The Brighton cause was certainly aided just after half an hour when Graeme Souness was forced off with a hamstring injury.
Despite the absence of Dalglish and Souness, Liverpool grew into the match. But with 35-year-old Joe Corrigan in fine form, the away team could not find a way through. Robinson had already been denied by Corrigan before he was guilty of another wasted opportunity as the first half drew to a close. Just before half-time came a key moment in the match.
Corrigan saved well with Ian Rush through on goal, but it looked as if the Liverpool striker - who would score 47 goals in all competitions - would finish off the rebound. However, Steve Foster cleared off the line to prevent Liverpool taking a lead just before the break. It was a crucial intervention.
It was more of the same as the second half started, with Corrigan keeping out Rush once more. Gradually Brighton grew in confidence, and when Grealish played a pass over the top of the high Liverpool back line, Gerry Ryan raced through on goal and lifted the ball over Bruce Grobbelaar.
Ryan had also scored Brighton's opener in the 1983 FA Cup win at Anfield, and his 57th minute goal had raised the prospect of a repeat performance. When Terry Connor doubled the lead just a minute later, the Goldstone Ground became a sea of limbs, barring the stunned looking section of the terraces housing the Liverpool fans.
"Unbelievable," Moore shouted. "Liverpool are rocking," he added, justifiably. Seeing the usually calm and cultured Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson all at sea was a rare sight. Quite what the future BBC pundits would have made of their defending that day would probably not be fit to broadcast.
A shell-shocked Liverpool never looked like getting back into the match, with Foster and centre back Eric Young performing admirably. As the final whistle sounded, fans streamed on to the pitch to celebrate another Brighton triumph over the mighty Reds. The headline in the Mirror summed it up: 'ALL THINGS BRIGHTON BEAUTIFUL'.
"Teams lose to them through fear," an ecstatic Cattlin revealed after the match. "I made sure that wouldn't happen to us. We have beaten the best club side in Europe, and beaten them fair and square." Cattlin did get a little carried away in the euphoria of the occasion, predicting that Brighton were on their way to Wembley again, but he could be forgiven for getting lost in the occasion.
"Our chins are on the floor," a magnanimous Fagan stated after the match. "There is no doubt Brighton are our bogey side." Tony Evans, writing in I Don't Know What It Is But I Love It, highlighted the concern regarding the loss and the injury to their skipper. "They looked bewildered, these European aristocrats, as if caught in a revolution. Without Souness, their conviction drained quickly and their confidence went with it."
Just as at the Goldstone Ground, Liverpool seemed vulnerable in the coming weeks minus two of their Scottish stars. But as ever they managed to get through this period. The loss at Brighton was a tough one to take, yet winning the League, European Cup and League Cup was a reasonable way to bounce back.
As for Brighton they would lose 3-1 at Watford in the next round, as distant dreams of a Wembley return evaporated. But the win over Liverpool did add a memorable entry to the history of the Goldstone Ground that in 1997 would be no more.
By that time, the club were struggling to stay in the Football League and the thought of beating Liverpool seemed the stuff of fantasy. Yet for those old enough to remember the Goldstone Ground, the FA Cup wins over Liverpool, and the subsequent turmoil at the club, the recent successes against Jurgen Klopp's team must taste that much sweeter.
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