Liverpool suffered an embarrassing 3-1 loss at midtable Brentford. They suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium. That match at home to Brighton marked an ignominious fourth straight Premier League loss for Liverpool. This alarming development would harken to the ordeal they faced in February 2021. It was a badge of honour that Brentford showed in their resilience and tactical superiority, two first half goals and a penalty kick added decisiveness sealing their victory.
In the first half, Brentford ran away with goals from Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade. However, even as Liverpool tried to get back into the game, their midfield constantly lost the ball and they remained defensively shaky all throughout. Liverpool did get one back with an 86th-minute strike from Milos Kerkez in added time. Igor Thiago’s penalty in the second half made sure of the win for Brentford. Mohamed Salah volleyed Liverpool back level after a late goal. Sadly, this wasn’t enough to make up the deficit.
Match Dynamics
Right from the initial kickoff, Brentford set the tone with a ruthless intensity. They took advantage of Liverpool’s weaknesses, scoring two goals before halftime. Ouattara got the game’s first goal within the opening 10 minutes, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up from Liverpool. Schade doubled Brentford’s lead shortly after to illustrate the Bees’ intent and attacking threat on the counter.
Liverpool’s backline crumbled whenever Brentford poured forward, showcasing the disjointed form we’ve seen the last few weeks. That marked the Reds’ last clean sheet – a 3-0 win at Burnley on September 14. This record is a testament to their continued defensive woes.
“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,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot. “Every time going 1-0 down doesn’t really help as well after five minutes.”
Brentford’s defensive unit held firm against Liverpool’s advances, with Player of the Match Dango Ouattara playing a pivotal role in maintaining their lead. The home side would repeatedly deny Liverpool, showcasing their dogged desire to defend and intelligence on how to play their dangerous opposition.
Shift in Momentum
Once the second 45 opened up, Liverpool adjusted their shape and pressed higher to try and win the midfield back. Slot then brought players such as Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, and Federico Chiesa to further increase the squad’s attacking dynamism. Brentford continued to maintain the tempo and the impetus of the match. Their persistence was rewarded after they won a penalty for a foul in the box.
Bees’ substitute Igor Thiago made no mistake from the spot, putting the home side 3-1 ahead. This goal put Liverpool with a very mountain to climb, and indeed, it was they who fell apart most spectacularly right after missing their best chance. Though they tried, they could not break through Brentford, who did a fantastic job forming a stout defense.
“That’s been two games in a row now where we’ve had disappointment just before half-time,” Slot noted. “The message was we don’t take a step back; we take a step forward in the second half.”
Liverpool did manage to take some consolation when Milos Kerkez found the net in stoppage time, tucking the final score in at 3-2. Mohamed Salah doubled the advantage with a jaw-dropping volley just a few minutes later. The visitors couldn’t find a comeback in time to complete a long-awaited victory.
Brentford’s Rise
Brentford’s strong showing over the Reds reaffirmed their spot in the top-half of the Premier League table. Under manager Roberto De Zerbi, they currently lie sixth, just four points behind league leaders Arsenal. Their ability to outfight and outclass a historically dominant team like Liverpool speaks volumes about their growth and potential within the league.
The win is a big boost for Brentford’s confidence and it serves as a reminder of their tactical awareness and ingenious counter-pressing under pressure. Manager Keith Andrews was quick to praise his side’s defensive solidarity and calmness on the ball during the clip.
“The way we defended together, stayed composed on the ball, rather than kicking it forward… Overall, it was a really good performance and deserved the win in the end,” Andrews stated.
Liverpool are reeling from the fallout of this disappointing run of form. They need to rethink their approaches to recover in upcoming matches. The Reds splashed the cash on a massive level in the past summer transfer market with an outlay of £446 million to strengthen their ranks. The positive results have not matched that investment so far.
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