Brentford added to Liverpool’s misery in the Premier League with a 3-2 win at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday night.
Dango Ouattara gave Brentford an early lead and the control of the game, with Kevin Schade making it to just before half time. But there was still time for Milos Kerkez to get a goal back before the teams went in at the break — in the fifth minute of injury time.
Brentford restored their two-goal advantage from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk had brought down Ouattara. Mo Salah scored late on to set up an interesting finish, but Liverpool couldn’t get a point and suffered another defeat.
Liverpool are now the fourth reigning Premier League champions to lose four consecutive games in the competition. They join Leicester City in 2016-17, themselves in 2020-21 and Manchester City last season.
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Liverpool creators of their own demise
When Manchester United were beaten by Brentford at the end of September, the Bees exploited a high line set up by Ruben Amorim. It would have made sense for Arne Slot to have studied those tapes and work out how to protect against the counter attacks.
Whether that would be to avoid playing a highline altogether, or alter the starting XI to make sure Liverpool weren’t caught out. It’s common practice to alter your game based on who you’re playing. But Slot has shown that he struggles with that idea, and it put Liverpool on the back foot.
Brentford’s second goal came with the Bees exploiting Liverpool’s highline. They turned the ball over in the middle of their own half, collecting a misplaced pass. When Mikkel Damsgaard received the ball, there was just one Liverpool defender in their own half. And even then, Virgil van Dijk was practically on the halfway line.
So when Damsgaard played a beautiful ball around Van Dijk, Kevin Schade — who had started his run in the Brentford half — was practically in on goal. The German had Konate chasing him but only Giorgi Mamardashvili to beat, which he did with a cool finish under pressure. It was a wonderful pass from Damsgaard, and a nice finish, but it was also a goal Liverpool could have completely avoided.
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Brentford instil chaos
Brentford must also receive credit for the way they made the Liverpool defence panic. Everyone knows the threat that Brentford have from throw-ins this season. Michael Kayode is Rory Delap reincarnated.
So any Brentford throw-in in a dangerous area would already have opponents worried. But within five minutes, Brentford had made their party piece count. Dango Ouattara was the goalscorer, netting after a long throw from Kayode. Liverpool had failed to win the first ball, flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer, with Outtara beating Milos Kerkez to poke home. Brentford’s plan worked perfectly.
The goal was the eighth Brentford have scored from throw-ins in the Premier League since the start of last season, more than any other side. And it put Liverpool in a position they have generally struggled in of late.
Liverpool have conceded four goals in the first 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, more than any other team in the division. They have also now lost all four games in which they have conceded the opening goal in the league. The Reds just don’t know how to react to not scoring first.
Liverpool’s toothless attack
Mo Salah may have ended his run of failing to score or assist in give games across all competitions with a wonderful goal late on. But Liverpool’s attack still had a tough night.
The Reds ended the game with 18 shots, one more than Brentford managed. They also generated more Expected Goals, with a total of 2.35 to 2.21. But four of those shots came within the final 20 seconds of the game as Liverpool pressed for a dramatic equaliser.
In reality, Liverpool didn’t really test former goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher enough. They hit the target just five times, including both of their goals. This came despite the Reds having 12 shots from inside the box and four big chances.
Liverpool also had three fewer touches in the opposition box than Brentford, with 32 to 35. However, they had the lion’s share of possession, holding 66% of the ball. Liverpool had the control, they just didn’t know what to do with it.