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Liverpool’s struggles in the Premier League continued on Saturday night as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. Despite a first goal for Milos Kerkez and a late strike from Mohamed Salah, Arne Slot’s side were undone by defensive lapses, missed opportunities, and a resilient Brentford team that took their chances well.
Brentford Strike Early to Shock the Reds
Liverpool made three changes from their midweek Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Conor Bradley, Milos Kerkez, and Mohamed Salah all returned to the starting eleven as Slot looked to keep his side fresh and competitive.
But the home team wasted no time setting the tone. Just five minutes in, a long throw from Michael Kayode caused chaos in the box. The ball flicked on and fell kindly to Dango Ouattara, who volleyed home at the far post. It was a scrappy goal, but one that highlighted Brentford’s trademark direct approach and Liverpool’s vulnerability in defending second balls. The early goal forced the Reds to respond, and they began to settle into possession. Salah had a chance when Cody Gakpo slipped him through, but his first touch was too heavy. A few minutes later, Florian Wirtz came close with a curling left-footed shot that whistled just wide of the post.
Liverpool were improving, creating space and dominating the ball, but the final touch was missing. Hugo Ekitike came close with a glancing header from Gakpo’s cross, while the Dutch forward also cut inside and curled a shot narrowly off target. Despite the growing pressure, Brentford stayed compact and organized in their defensive shape. The Bees looked comfortable sitting deep and waiting for moments to break.
Brentford Double Their Lead Before the Break
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, now in Brentford colors, almost came back to haunt his old club when his long-range shot flew just wide. The hosts then came close again when Giorgi Mamardashvili had to tip over Mikkel Damsgaard’s rising effort.
Liverpool were then left frustrated when strong penalty appeals were waved away. Gakpo went down under a challenge in the box, but the referee saw nothing in it. To make matters worse, Brentford went up the other end moments later and doubled their lead.
It was Damsgaard again at the heart of it, threading a perfect pass through to Kevin Schade, who timed his run well and finished clinically beyond Mamardashvili. The 45th-minute goal gave Brentford a 2-0 advantage and sent their fans into celebration.
Just when it looked like Liverpool would head into halftime deflated, they found a lifeline. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Conor Bradley surged down the right and sent in a hard, low cross. On the opposite flank, Milos Kerkez arrived in the box and finished from close range to score his first goal for the club. The strike gave the visitors a glimmer of hope as they went into the break trailing 2-1.
Penalty Drama Extends Brentford’s Lead
Liverpool came out for the second half with renewed intent, but their momentum was short-lived. Brentford continued to threaten on the counter, and on the hour mark, the game took another turn against the Reds.
Virgil van Dijk’s challenge on Ouattara initially looked to have conceded a free-kick just outside the box, but after a VAR review, it was determined that the contact occurred right on the line. That meant a penalty was awarded to Brentford.
Igor Thiago stepped up confidently and rolled the ball straight down the middle to restore Brentford’s two-goal lead. It was a calm finish and one that summed up Brentford’s composure on the night.
At 3-1 down, Slot reacted immediately, introducing Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, and Federico Chiesa. The changes saw Szoboszlai moved to right-back, where he quickly made an impact by overlapping and sending in a cut-back for Salah. However, former Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg got his body in the way to block what looked like a certain goal.
Injuries Add to Liverpool’s Problems
As the game entered its final stages, Liverpool’s night went from bad to worse. Curtis Jones had to leave the field with an injury, adding to the team’s growing list of fitness concerns. Slot’s options were becoming limited as the minutes ticked away.
Despite enjoying more of the ball, Liverpool found it difficult to break down Brentford’s low block. The home side were well-drilled, maintaining their shape and slowing down the pace whenever possible. The Gtech Community Stadium crowd sensed that their team was on the verge of a big win, and their energy only grew as the clock wound down.
Salah’s Late Goal Offers a Flicker of Hope
Mohamed Salah, as he so often does, refused to give up. In the 89th minute, the Egyptian produced a stunning finish from outside the box, smashing the ball into the top corner with his right foot. It was a trademark Salah strike powerful, precise, and unstoppable.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, it came too late to spark a real comeback. They pressed forward during stoppage time, but Brentford stood firm, clearing every cross and blocking every shot. When the final whistle blew, Brentford had secured a deserved 3-1 victory, and Liverpool were left to reflect on another disappointing league result.
A Fourth Straight League Defeat
The loss marked Liverpool’s fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, a rare and worrying run for a team that had started the season strongly. Defensive frailties, lack of control in key moments, and a growing list of injuries have all contributed to their recent struggles.
Arne Slot, who has been trying to instill a new style of play, will know that results need to turn quickly. The Reds still control large portions of their matches, but lapses in concentration and missed opportunities have become costly.
Brentford, meanwhile, deserve full credit. They executed their game plan perfectly, using set-pieces and quick transitions to punish Liverpool’s weaknesses. For Thomas Frank’s side, it was another memorable night at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the atmosphere electric from start to finish.
Key Takeaways
- Kerkez’s milestone: The young full-back’s first goal for Liverpool was a bright spot on a difficult night.
- Salah’s consistency: Even when the team struggles, Salah continues to deliver, showing his class yet again.
- Defensive issues: Liverpool’s back line looked shaky under pressure, especially when defending set-pieces and long throws.
- Injury concerns: Curtis Jones’ knock adds to Slot’s headaches ahead of a busy fixture schedule.
- Brentford’s discipline: The hosts stayed compact, frustrated Liverpool, and made the most of their limited chances.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool will need a quick response as they look to stop the slide in form. Their focus will now shift to the next Premier League fixture, where a win is essential to rebuild confidence and momentum.
Arne Slot’s men have shown flashes of quality this season, but consistency has been missing. The team will need to regroup, recover key players, and rediscover the sharpness that defined their early performances. For Brentford, this result is a statement. They showed bravery, energy, and tactical discipline against one of the league’s biggest teams. Their fans will remember this victory for a long time.
Final Score: Brentford 3–2 Liverpool
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com