A thoroughly professional performance, in the face of adversity, saw Liverpool cruise to a 4-1 away victory at Brentford. A superb first half strike by Darwin Nunez, followed by goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo, took the sting out of the Bees, though the day was marred by injuries to Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, and Nunez.
It was a bright start by Brentford, in which Liverpool defended with composure and aggression and soon led to control of what could have been a tricky fixture. Thirty five minutes were on the clock, as Jota rose highest to direct a header to Nunez, following a clearance from Virgil van Djik and the Uruguayan finished with aplomb, lobbing the advancing goalkeeper. It was a stunning finish and, although Liverpool led at the break, what looked like significant injuries to both Jones and Jota would have soured Klopp’s half-time team talk.
Nunez, superb in the first half, didn’t emerge for the second period. Gakpo joined Ryan Gravenberch and Salah off the bench. Liverpool though continued to control the game and a defence splitting pass from Salah enabled Mac Allister to double the lead. Salah himself scored the third, as Brentford left a huge space in the middle of the pitch. Caoimhin Kelleher hit it long and the Egyptian showed remarkable strength in holding off the defender before a clipped finish, effectively securing the points.
Brentford lacked punch throughout, but a late sting in the tail saw Ivan Toney beat Kelleher from close range on 75 minutes. Standing in for injured Alisson, Kelleher had actually made a great save on the line, but could do nothing as the ball rebounded to the Brentford striker. However, any thoughts of a late rally by the Bees were soon snuffed out as Gakpo restored his side’s three-goal cushion with just five minutes remaining.
So Liverpool go five points clear, however temporarily and, with Luton set to visit Anfield on Wednesday, they could stretch their lead still further before facing Chelsea in the League Cup Final next weekend. Just how many first team players will be fit enough to participate in the weeks ahead is anyone’s guess, but Liverpool are still in the hunt for four trophies and Klopp’s last season in charge still has the potential to be a special one.
