A performance devoid of grit, guts, determination, and game intelligence condemned an abject Liverpool to a fourth consecutive league defeat. Brentford, who swarmed all over the champions from the first whistle, were better in every department. Not only did they thoroughly deserve the three points, but their 3-2 victory flattered Liverpool.
Astonishingly, Liverpool played as though totally unaware that Brentford like to use long throws. Five minutes into the game, and, presented by Conor Bradley with a third throw-in, the home team went in front. A simple glanced header presented a volleyed finish to Quattara. Somehow, Liverpool didn’t concede another until the forty-fifth minute.
They say that the definition of insanity is to expect a different result when doing the same thing. It’s a proverb that Liverpool tested to destruction in West London. Short passes outside their own penalty area, turning into trouble when receiving the ball in midfield, passing square and backward, and not matching the desire of Brentford anywhere on the pitch. On the stroke of half-time, Liverpool again paid the price. Schade ran clear from his own half after Liverpool lost the ball in midfield. Yet somehow, Liverpool gave themselves a lifeline in added time; Kerkez, who again was awful in defence, scored from close range.
You might have hoped that Arne Slot, having seen his team’s woeful first-half display, would have rung the changes at half-time. Instead, the second half began with a new referee. However, for Liverpool, little changed. You might even argue they got worse, and with Thiago converting a very fortunate penalty, Virgil van Dijk adjudged to have fouled his man on the white line of the box, the score line was 3-1.
By now, Slot had made changes, but it was too little, too late. Liverpool players simply weren’t up for it. They didn’t work hard enough, they lacked composure, and they’re not a team. No solidity in either midfield or at the back, where they are far too open due to shoehorning new signings into a formation that’s simply not working.
One silver lining in an otherwise very dark cloud might be that Mo Salah found the net in the dying minutes. A goal of sublime brilliance, of instinct, as he brought a sky-high ball down with his left foot before rifling in a right-foot rocket into the roof of the net. Liverpool did have a few half-chances in added time, but it would have been nothing short of robbery had Brentford, who were outstanding, not run out winners.
