A FEW OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GAME TONIGHT: BRENTFORD 3-3 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool travelled to Brentford tonight to take on Thomas Frank’s outfit. With results going their way earlier in the day, the Reds couldn’t capitalise with a win, being held to a 3-3 draw by The Bees. Read on for player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 5.5

Not commanding of his box at all. All three of their goals came from crosses into the box and he got nowhere near them. Trent was outnumbered on the second and third goals and you’d have expected Ali to come out and collect. He stayed on his line and for the third goal in particular, didn’t cover himself in glory. When he did choose to come off his line, it was to punch clear instead of gather.

Alexander-Arnold – 5.5

Set pieces were woeful today. Corner after corner and he never quite got the delivery right. His free kick early on went way over the bar too. Probably time for someone else to try those as he’s not hit the target in months. He was constantly outnumbered at the backpost and nobody helped. They got two goals from it as we failed to get on to their strategy. Going forward he played well, combined well with Mo and Hendo.

Matip – 5.5

Lost too many aeriel duels to Toney. It got to a point where he was not even bothering jumping for it. And he wasn’t tracking the runners in behind either. Crucial goal line clearance early in the game. Given a torrid evening by Toney.

Van Dijk – 5.5

The leader and organised of the backline was not at it today. Early on he also lost a few headers against Toney and lost Mbeumo for the effort cleared off the line. We were bullied in the air for two of their goals and that’s not something that happens often under his watch. Excellent defending when he cut out a cross with his backheel after Matip was roasted. Saved us a point when he beat Toney in a foot race when it seemed the striker was through on goal late on. Could possibly have done better for their third, and definitely the second.

Robertson – 5

Thought he was poor with his end product. Another who was guilty of wasting so many corners. Even in open play, he got into some good positions but his delivery was poor, failing to clear the first man on almost every occasion. His performance was summed up in injury time when the ball broke to him on the edge of the Brentford box but his touch was horrendous, losing the ball and them countering. That one run first half to win the free kick was his best bit.

Fabinho – 6

Asleep at the back post for their opener. He was favourite to the ball but had no idea what was behind him and allowed Pinnock to steal in and score. Made up for it with an exquisite assist for Salah but he was part of a midfield that lost too many runners and was quite too easily cut apart.

Henderson – 7

Thought the skipper played really well. Pulled wide right and connected little triangles with Mo and Trent. Created our equaliser with a peach of a cross for Jota from that position. He dropped into a double pivot later when Bobby came on and was again influential. Very good on the ball but if Trent was outnumbered on so many crosses into our box, it leaves you wondering where Hendo was.

Jones – 7

Another I felt was very good. He started really well when he picked Toney’s pocket in the first few minutes. Then he pressed well and won the ball back again and it led to Salah’s effort being cleared off the line. He’s so easy on the eye and keeps the ball really well. Unlucky not to score when his long range effort came off the post and Jota couldn’t put away the rebound. Got his goal with a rocket that took a nick off the defender. Was surprised he went off straight after that.

Salah – 7

Unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line when he nutmegged the keeper. Gave Pinnock so many problems with his movement, touch, control and sheer quality. Got his record breaking goal with another well timed run and a sweet first time connection to Fabinho’s lobbed pass. Guilty of overcomplicating his finish when he went through on goal with a chance to seal the game. He opened his body up and instead of just curling past the keeper, went for an elaborate chip which landed on the roof of the net. Put one on a plate for Sadio not long after. We were made to rue those misses.

Jota – 7

It was his defence splitting pass that put Salah through early doors for the attempt cleared off the line. Pulled us level with yet another header, his movement and heading ability is so good. Should have scored when Jones’shot rebounded to him, he took it first time and the keeper miraculously tipped it behind. Switched to the right in the 4-2-3-1 and was careless in possession a number of times. Kept trying to link up with his forwards.

Mané – 6.5

When Mo’s effort was cleared off the line, it fell to him and he went first time at a ridiculous angle. Grew into the game and set up some chances. Tracked back into our box several times and defended well. Should have sealed the game when Mo crossed it to him at 3-2. He somehow blazed it way over from just a few yards out, albeit with a defender desperately lunging in. His and Mo’s lack of ruthlessness has cost us today.

Substitutes

Firmino – 6

Found lots of space as the game was stretched when he came on. Tried to slip one in for Mo but it was cut out by a last ditch tackle. Lovely pirouette in the box to get away from one man, but another was soon on him to deal with it. A few rusty touches.

Jurgen Klopp

Picked the strongest team available to him. Surprised he took off Jones when he had just scored a screamer to make it 3-2. Was even more surprised he brought on Bobby and not Millie to help shore things up in the middle. He went 4-2-3-1 when his side had the lead. That led to more chances being created but his strikers let him down. At the other end we were still too open and a fearless Brentford side punished the lack of numbers in our box defending crosses.