Arne Slot’s men traveled to Brentford this evening at 9 p.m. on behalf of the 9th day of the English championship. An important match for the Reds, who are in difficulty at the start of the season and who were in fourth place before this meeting, four points behind leader Arsenal.
The Reds did not have time to get started as Brentford struck hard from the start. From the 5th minute, Ouattara opened the scoring with a left-footed shot from close range following a long throw from Kayode extended by Ajer. Liverpool reacted immediately, monopolizing the ball with almost 70% possession, but missed narrowly in the last move. Salah appears threatening, while Gakpo and Wirtz try to wake up the Reds with imprecise strikes which greatly annoys Slot on his bench. Brentford folds without breaking, and on a well-executed counter, Schade doubles the lead in the 45th minute after a full-line run and a cross shot which deceives Mamardashvili. While Liverpool seemed stunned, the English champion reduced the gap just before the break, Bradley crossed hard at ground level, Ekitiké feinted at the near post, and Kerkez finished from close range. At half-time, Brentford led 2-1, but Liverpool revived at the best moment.
Liverpool n’y arrive pas
As soon as the restart, Brentford started again with a bang, Igor Thiago and Damsgaard pressing very high to stifle the Reds unable to get out cleanly. Liverpool, however, kept the ball, without managing to cross the halfway line. The Bees remained sharp: Schade was once again decisive and forced Mamardashvili to make two saves in quick succession, first against Igor Thiago, then on a curling shot from Damsgaard. At the hour mark, the pressure finally paid off: after a contentious intervention by Van Dijk on Ouattara, the VAR intervened and Tim Robinson awarded a penalty. Igor Thiago does not tremble and transforms full center to give the locals three goals (3-1). Behind, Liverpool tried to react, but Brentford remained solid, Collins and Van den Berg multiplying the saving tackles. Salah, for his part, gets annoyed, muzzled for a long time by Ajer before finally finding the fault in the 88th minute with a superb half-volley from the right level to the post. Too late, however: despite a last offensive burst, the Reds lost 3-2 after more than ten minutes of stoppage in play, overcome by the intensity and collective accuracy of the Bees.
To summarize
At Brentford this evening, a crucial match was being played for Liverpool players, who are struggling in this Premier League season. Arne Slot’s men lost heavily against a valiant team which did not do poorly in defense in particular. Another defeat for the Reds in the league.
