By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Liverpool’s defense of their Premier League crown suffered a major blow on Saturday as they were defeated 3-2 by Brentford in a thrilling encounter in West London. The loss marks the Reds’ fourth successive Premier League defeat, a streak not seen since March 2021, and their fifth successive loss in London for the first time since 1970.
Despite a commanding 5-1 victory over Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League midweek, Liverpool was brought “back down to earth with a bang” by an ascendant Brentford side. The Bees struck in the opening five minutes when Michael Kayode’s long throw was flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer and volleyed in by Dango Ouattara.
Mohamed Salah came close to an instant response but was thwarted by former Liverpool stopper Caoimhín Kelleher before Florian Wirtz missed a chance to score his first goal for the Reds, slicing a half-volley wide.
Brentford continued to press, and after Jordan Henderson whistled an effort just wide of the target, the home side doubled their advantage. Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced to make a stunning one-handed save to deny Mikkel Damsgaard, but Damsgaard quickly turned provider, by delivering a defense-splitting pass that sent Kevin Schade racing through on goal, and he made no mistake.
Keith Andrews’ side held a 2-0 lead until the fifth minute of stoppage time—despite only three being indicated—when Milos Kerkez popped up at the far post to sweep home Conor Bradley’s delivery, denying Brentford their clean sheet and reducing the lead before the break.
The second half saw Brentford regain their momentum. After a stunning Mamardashvili save again denied Damsgaard, Brentford was awarded a penalty following a VAR review, which deemed Virgil van Dijk had fouled Ouattara right on the line of the penalty area. Igor Thiago assumed responsibility from 12 yards, coolly slotting home to restore the Bees’ two-goal cushion, marking his fourth strike in as many matches.
Manager Arne Slot reacted instantly to conceding the third goal, making four changes in the space of 10 minutes in a desperate bid to get back into the game. It was one of his mainstays, Mohamed Salah, who gave them a late lifeline when he hammered in off the underside of the bar, ending a six-game scoring drought at club level.
However, Salah’s late strike arrived too late to prevent the loss, meaning Liverpool stand to lose yet more ground in the title race tomorrow. It proved to be a famous evening for Brentford, who climbed into the top half with a third win in four Premier League matches.
Liverpool’s defense of their Premier League crown suffered a major blow today as they were defeated 3-2 by Brentford in a thrilling encounter in West London. The loss marks the Reds’ fourth successive Premier League defeat, a streak not seen since March 2021, and their fifth successive loss in London for the first time since 1970.
Despite a commanding 5-1 victory over Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League midweek, Liverpool was brought “back down to earth with a bang” by an ascendant Brentford side. The Bees struck in the opening five minutes when Michael Kayode’s long throw was flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer and volleyed in by Dango Ouattara.
Mohamed Salah came close to an instant response but was thwarted by former Liverpool stopper Caoimhín Kelleher before Florian Wirtz missed a chance to score his first goal for the Reds, slicing a half-volley wide.
Brentford continued to press, and after Jordan Henderson whistled an effort just wide of the target, the home side doubled their advantage. Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced to make a stunning one-handed save to deny Mikkel Damsgaard, but Damsgaard quickly turned provider, delivering a defense-splitting pass that sent Kevin Schade racing through on goal, and he made no mistake.
Keith Andrews’ side held a 2-0 lead until the fifth minute of stoppage time—despite only three being indicated—when Milos Kerkez popped up at the far post to sweep home Conor Bradley’s delivery, denying Brentford their clean sheet and reducing the lead before the break.
The second half saw Brentford regain their momentum. After a stunning Mamardashvili save again denied Damsgaard, Brentford was awarded a penalty following a VAR review, which deemed Virgil van Dijk had fouled Ouattara right on the line of the penalty area. Igor Thiago assumed responsibility from 12 yards, coolly slotting home to restore the Bees’ two-goal cushion, marking his fourth strike in as many matches.
Manager Arne Slot reacted instantly to conceding the third goal, making four changes in the space of 10 minutes in a desperate bid to get back into the game. It was one of his mainstays, Mohamed Salah, who gave them a late lifeline when he hammered in off the underside of the bar, ending a six-game scoring drought at club level.
However, Salah’s late strike arrived too late to prevent the loss, meaning Liverpool stand to lose yet more ground in the title race tomorrow. It proved to be a famous evening for Brentford, who climbed into the top half with a third win in four Premier League matches.
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