Brentford 3-2 Liverpool: Fourth consecutive league loss plunges Arne Slot’s side deep into crisis
Familiar troubles reared their ugly heads for Liverpool on Saturday, as Arne Slot’s side returned from the heights of their European heist in midweek only to succumb to a dizzying crash at Gtech Community Stadium at the hands of giant-slayers Brentford.
Crisis yet? Not only did the 3-2 loss equal Liverpool’s longest losing run in the Premier League era, it also exposed once again the softness in the middle and defensive third that has haunted them so far this season.
By the fifth minute, the champions were already behind, and although things were rather nervy by the final whistle, the result felt entirely deserved across the entire 90.
Dango Ouattara opened the scoring from a route familiar to Brentford. A flick on from a Michael Kayode long throw allowed the Burkina Faso international to convert his side’s first attempt on goal.
Slot has had set-pieces on his lips for weeks but his side have continued to struggle, and Brentford are the masters of the art, making the champions uncomfortable all evening via the phenomenal Michael Kayode, who is almost unparalleled in the Premier League in long-throw ability.
Brentford’s second arrived with 45 minutes played but not quite half time, when Mikkel Damsgaard split open Liverpool’s back line with a precise through ball for Kevin Schade, who sprinted clear of the flagging Ibrahima Konate and finished coolly beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The home side were furious that play was allowed to continue five minutes into stoppage time when only three were given. Milos Kerkez volleyed in Conor Bradley’s cross to halve the lead but Brentford were back in front by the hour mark.
Brentford were initially awarded a freekick for Virgil van Dijk’s foul on Ouattara, but a VAR review found that it took place on the line of the penalty area, which meant that it was inside the box. Igor Thiago converted from the spot and Brentford’s two-goal cushion was restored.
Mohamed Salah scored his first non-penalty goal in the league since opening day to cause tensions to rise at Gtech Stadium, but the Bees managed to see out the win.
