Liverpool suffered their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat as Brentford outfought and outclassed them to deservedly earn a 3-2 victory.
Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade struck within the first half earlier than Milos Kerkez controversially pulled one again for the guests in added time, however Igor Thiago’s second-half penalty was sufficient for Brentford regardless of Mohamed Salah’s late volley.
Liverpool final misplaced 4 league video games in a row in February 2021 and as soon as once more lacked management and have been weak defensively, now and not using a clear sheet since September 14 in opposition to Burnley, having spent £446m in the summertime.
They sit sixth within the Premier League with Sunderland and Manchester United amongst these above them, and 4 factors behind leaders Arsenal, who host Crystal Palace on Sunday, reside on Sky Sports activities.
How Liverpool misplaced once more
Liverpool have been uncovered in simply the fifth minute when Michael Kayode’s lengthy throw was flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer on the close to submit and Ouattara brilliantly adjusted on the again to show residence.
Florian Wirtz’s look forward to his first aim for the membership continues after he missed Liverpool’s greatest probability of the opening interval, sending a half-volley inches extensive from contained in the field.
Brentford, although, have been the higher facet all through. Jordan Henderson, taking part in in opposition to his former membership, and Ouattara each despatched efforts extensive earlier than Mikkel Damsgaard’s long-range effort was tipped over by Giorgi Marmardashvili.
Their stress paid off earlier than the break, though on the transition and seconds after Liverpool had appealed for a penalty when Cody Gakpo went down. Hugo Ekitike gave the ball away in midfield advert Damsgaard shortly performed an excellent cross in behind for Schade, who had drifted past Ibrahim Konate after which slotted in.
Kevin Schade leaves Ibrahima Konate trailing to attain Brentford’s second aim
Nevertheless, the Brentford supporters and Keith Andrews have been livid at half-time when Milos Kerkez pulled one again for Liverpool within the fifth of three added minutes.
Referee Simon Hooper was changed on the break by fourth official Tim Robinson and he pointed to the penalty spot after a VAR evaluation for Virgil van Dijk’s foul on Ouattara. Thiago stepped up and rolled the spot kick down the center.
Arne Slot responded by making adjustments, bringing on Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson and Federico Chiesa, but it surely was nonetheless the hosts creating the higher openings with Ouattara sending a free header extensive.
Liverpool, although, gave themselves one other lifeline late on when Mo Salah managed within the space and instinctively hit a volley that clipped the underside of the crossbar because it went in – however Brentford held on.
Slot: I did not anticipate to lose 4 in a row
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot:
“I’ve said this many times already, that teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play, and we haven’t found that answer yet, and that every time going 1-0 down doesn’t really help as well after five minutes.
“So it’s kind of of that, that groups know which technique to play in opposition to us. We’re nonetheless, even right now after we do not play nicely, in a position to rating two objectives and create extra possibilities than solely the 2 objectives we scored from open play.
“We don’t compete up there because we simply concede too many goals, and that is not something I only look at our defence, because that’s something we do with 11 players together.
“And it positively additionally has to do with should you change rather a lot through the summer season, then I believe it is not a shock that it might go a bit like this, however I did not anticipate it to go along with 4 losses in a row.”
Andrews reveals key to victory…
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews:
“That is been two video games in a row now the place we have had disappointment simply earlier than half-time and the message was we do not take a step again, we take a step ahead within the second half.
“When we start, we take the game to them and I thought that was the key for me, in terms of how we approach that first 10-15 minutes of the second half, because I think you can feed their confidence. If you take a step back, they will sense that and they will take real advantage of it and we didn’t allow that.
“It is a massive consequence for a soccer membership to beat the Premier League champions, but it surely’s particularly a giant consequence due to the character round our subsequent chapter as a soccer membership and definitely for me it is massive.”
Henderson’s verdict on Liverpool…
Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson to TNT Sports:
“From begin to end, we caught collectively. Liverpool are a world-class facet and a world-class staff, so there will probably be a little bit of defending to do.
“The way we defended together, stayed composed on the ball, rather than kicking it forward – like Damsgaard to did Kev [Schade] and Thiago was a threat all night. He’s been like that all season. Overall, it was a really good performance and deserved the win in the end.
“You look everywhere in the pitch, there are high quality gamers everywhere in the pitch. You’ll be able to’t discover a particular weak spot. I do know outcomes of late have not been nice for them, however for me they’re nonetheless prime gamers and a prime staff. It is about getting the rhythm and getting going. There are numerous explanation why they have not hit the heights of final season however they’re nonetheless a world-class staff. And wherever you look, there are prime gamers.”
