Anfield bade farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson on a day of ceremony and emotion, and with Champions League qualification secured, although Liverpool were left needing late fortune to avoid ending the season on a sour note in a draw with Brentford.
Salah and Robertson were the protagonists here as Liverpool supporters turned out to mark the end of two defining careers at the club. Salah came close to writing the perfect final chapter, curling a freekick around Brentford’s wall midway through the first half. It beat Caoimhin Kelleher but rather unluckily crashed back off the upright.
But fittingly when the breakthrough arrived shortly after the hour it involved Salah. Released down the right, the Egyptian delayed just long enough before clipping an outside-of-the-boot cross into the path of Curtis Jones, who converted from close range.
It was Salah’s 120th assist for Liverpool and appeared to have set Arne Slot’s side on course for the win they needed to remove any lingering uncertainty over Champions League qualification.
Liverpool had been dominant before then. Ibrahima Konate forced Kelleher into action with a header. Dominik Szoboszlai dragged wide and Cody Gakpo tested their former teammate, while Rio Ngumoha flashed an effort narrowly over after cutting in from the left.
Yet Brentford carried enough threat to keep the contest alive and almost punished Liverpool earlier when Kevin Schade found himself unmarked inside the six-yard area. Alisson, returning after a lengthy injury absence, produced a crucial stop with his knee to deny the forward.
The visitors improved after falling behind and eventually found a route back into the game. Jones, who had put his side ahead, inadvertently helped create the equaliser when his headed clearance dropped kindly for Keane Lewis-Potter. The wing-back’s cross deflected off Jones and Schade stooped to guide a header beyond Alisson.
Brentford sensed an opening and nearly turned the day on its head in stoppage time. Florian Wirtz squandered a late chance to restore Liverpool’s lead when Kelleher saved with his legs, before the visitors almost seized a decisive winner.
With virtually the final action of the game, Dango Ouattara rose unchallenged to meet Vitaly Janelt’s cross but headed wide from point-blank range, missing the chance to send Brentford into Europe.
