Liverpool’s Struggle Continues as Brentford Secures a 3-2 Victory
Liverpool suffered a 3-2 loss at Brentford, extending their worst-ever Premier League run to four consecutive defeats. Despite a dominant 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt midweek, the Reds were caught cold in west London. Below you will see complete information that has been summarized by The Football Breakdown.
Dango Ouattara opened the scoring within five minutes, followed by Kevin Schade’s goal just before halftime to put Brentford 2-0 up. Milos Kerkez briefly revived Liverpool’s hopes just before the interval, but a VAR-awarded penalty converted by Igor Thiago sealed Brentford’s victory.
This result matches Liverpool’s previous worst run in the Premier League era and makes them the fourth defending champions to endure four straight defeats. With just nine games played, Liverpool has already matched the total number of losses they suffered during last season’s title-winning campaign. The defeat leaves them in seventh place, potentially seven points behind leaders Arsenal by the weekend’s end.
Arne Slot, Brentford’s manager, capitalized on Liverpool’s defensive frailties. Even without star signing Alexander Isak, Brentford executed a disciplined and strategic game plan, exploiting long throws and quick transitions that Liverpool struggled to contain.
Early Struggles Against Brentford
Liverpool was slow to adjust to Brentford’s intensity. Salah’s first opportunity came early from Cody Gakpo’s through ball, but his touch was heavy, and goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher quickly denied him. Florian Wirtz also squandered a close-range chance following a Hugo Ekitike backheel. Brentford grew more confident as the first half progressed, with Jordan Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard threatening Liverpool’s goal but failing to convert.
Brentford’s second goal arrived right before halftime, moments after a potential Liverpool penalty was denied. Damsgaard’s precise pass split the defense, allowing Schade to outpace Ibrahima Konaté and score. Despite this, Liverpool’s Kerkez reduced the deficit with a stoppage-time header, offering a glimmer of hope for the second half.
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VAR Controversy and Penalty Decision
The second half saw Liverpool pressed further by Brentford. A contentious moment arose when Virgil Van Dijk’s challenge on Ouattara led to a VAR review. The referee ultimately awarded a penalty, which Thiago converted to restore Brentford’s two-goal advantage. The decision sparked frustration on both benches, highlighting Liverpool’s struggle to adapt to officiating and maintain defensive discipline.
Despite dominating possession in phases, Liverpool’s attacks lacked cohesion. Salah’s late strike, his first in seven matches, gave fans hope, but Brentford’s organized defense held firm. The home side celebrated the victory as one of their most significant in Premier League history, reflecting Liverpool’s ongoing challenges this season.
Liverpool’s Position and Outlook
With four league defeats in a row, Liverpool faces mounting pressure to regain form. Their title defense is at risk, and fans are increasingly concerned over the team’s consistency. Manager Arne Slot will need to address defensive lapses, finishing inefficiency, and set-piece vulnerabilities to halt the downward spiral.
Upcoming fixtures provide limited respite, and Liverpool must improve immediately to avoid falling further behind leaders Arsenal. The team’s mental resilience and tactical adjustments will be crucial if they hope to recover from a challenging start to the season and preserve hopes of competing for the title. Also take advantage of your free time to explore more of the latest Premier League news by simply clicking on footballtipsonline.co.uk.
