BRENTFORD 3-3 LIVERPOOL: POST GAME MUSINGS

Liverpool were held to an entertaining 3-3 draw by newly promoted Brentford yesterday. The Reds fell behind when Pinnock snuck in at the back post to get on the end of Toney’s backheel from a free kick. Jota responded with a well taken header and it stayed level at the break. Liverpool took the lead second half when Salah converted from Fabinho’s chipped pass.

Janelt responded for the hosts when he outjumped Fabinho and Van Dijk to head home from just a few yards out. Curtis Jones then put the visitors ahead with a thunderbolt from outside the box, before Wissa chipped Alisson after another long ball into the Liverpool box caused mayhem. Read on for some random thoughts on the game…

° Pure entertainment. It was an end to end affair on Saturday night, Brentford to their credit, gave it their all and went blow for blow with a side much better than them. They got their reward in the end with a well earned point. Thomas Frank’s tactics worked as they caused Liverpool’s defence countless problems throughout, putting three past a side that had conceded just once beforehand.

° A missed opportunity. No matter how you slice it, it’s a missed opportunity for the Reds to open up a three point cushion at the top of the table. It’s not often that two of the three purpoted rivals will lose on the same weekend. When those chances come along, they must be taken. Liverpool now go into the City game, just one point clear, instead of three.

° Defence crumbles. It is not often you see that backline struggle like they did last night. They were made to look very porous as Toney and Mbeumo gave them the sternest examination they’ve faced this season. Toney won too many headers against Matip and Van Dijk, and Mbeumo was first to too many second balls. Trent was left isolated against three men for two goals.

° Jones screamer. Young Curtis came into the side after injuries to Elliott, Thiago and Keita. He had some good moments (pressing to win the ball early on and set moves off, his goal obviously, hit the post too), and he had poor moments (switching off to the short free kick for their opener). All in all, an encouraging performance and one to build on.

° Century for Mo. The irrepressible Egyptian broke another record when he scored to become the quickest in Liverpool history to a century of league goals. A quite incredible achievement when you look at the famous marksmen who’ve donned the red shirt. Is it an exaggeration to say we’re watching our greatest goalscorer bar Ian Rush?

° Complacency? At 3-2, Bobby came on and we enjoyed more spaces to create, and create we did. We went on to miss those chances though, with Salah’s the worst of the lot. One on one with the goalkeeper and he chose to go for an elaborate chip instead of just slotting past Raya. Full backs were still bombing on and allowing Brentford to counter. They expected to score 3/4/5 it seemed.

° Lack of game management. In such a wild game, one would have thought James Milner would be brought on to help see it out. He’s the best player in the squad for situations like that when a lead needs seeing out. Instead, Klopp went 4-2-3-1 and went all out for even more goals. It would have worked had the chances been taken. They weren’t though, and the backdoor was left open.

° Looking forward. There’s not long to dwell on the two dropped points however. Porto awaits on Tuesday before a mammoth clash against Manchester City. Even at this early stage, it is imperative to take points off your main rivals at home. We failed to do that against ten man Chelsea, we can’t afford a repeat against Pep’s men.