The crisis in Liverpool continued after the champions suffered a fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, losing 2:3 away to Brentford, sportal.bg reported.
The champions showed none of their good performance against Eintracht during the week in the Champions League and once again looked like a team that has no clear idea of what to do on the pitch, while at the same time can concede a goal at any time. Arne Slott was once again surprised by the opponent this season, although the home team's plan was mainly focused on long-range touches and long passing behind the Merseyside defense.
Dango Ouattara (5') and Kevin Schade (45') gave the "bees" a comfortable lead, and Milos Kerkez reduced the deficit in the added time of the first half with his debut goal for Liverpool. Former Ludogorets player Igor Thiago converted a penalty, making it 3:1 after an hour of play. Mohamed Salah shaped the final score a minute before the end. Thus, the champions suffered their fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League, which is happening to the team for the first time since February 2021. The Merseysiders are now sixth in the provisional standings, while Brentford have climbed to tenth.
Arne Slott had made three changes compared to the match in Frankfurt. Connor Bradley, Milos Kerkes and Mohamed Salah returned to the starting line-up. Jeremy Frimpong and Alexander Isak were not in the group due to injuries. Ryan Gravenberch was also out, having missed the away game in Germany.
Home manager Keith Andrews relied on the same line-up that started in the victory over West Ham on Monday.
The hosts started a little more actively and tried to create pressure in the Liverpool penalty area with long throw-ins. Just after one in the sixth minute, performed by Kayode, Ayer jumped over Ekitike and deflected with his head, and Dango Ouattara intercepted from the air in front of Kerkez's eyes - 1:0.
After the tenth minute, the Merseysiders permanently settled in the half of the "bees", who were waiting for an opportunity for counterattacks.
In the 20th minute, Wirtz found Ekitike well in the penalty area, who was closed and tried a pass with his heel. After a ricochet, the ball reached the German again, who shot, but his shot went inches wide.
The guests continued to press, but Ekitike was not accurate with his header, and Gakpo shot over the goal.
In the 33rd minute, Jordan Henderson tried to embarrass his former team with a nice shot from about 25 meters, but the ball went wide. During this period, the hosts took the game into Liverpool's half and put the champions' defense under pressure.
Damskor fired a great shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 39th minute. but Mamardashvili reacted brilliantly and knocked it over his own goal.
In the 44th minute, Gakpo claimed a penalty after falling after contact with Collins. However, the signal did not follow, although there were grounds for a penalty kick.
A minute later, Brentford organized a great counterattack. Ekitike's pass was intercepted, after which Damsgor with a great pass brought out Schade, who broke away alone against Mamardashvili, who was only retreating instead of meeting his opponent. The German overcame him for 2:0.
In the fifth minute of added time, Kerkez reduced the deficit. Bradley's cross was missed by Ekitike, after which the ball reached the Hungarian, who shot past Kelleher from five meters.
In the 54th minute, another Brentford counterattack almost led to another goal in the champions' goal. Schaede was brought behind Bradley with a long pass, after which the German found Thiago well in the penalty area, who closed the corner with one touch and allowed Mamardashvaili to clear. The Georgian made another important save two minutes later after a shot by Damsgaard.
In the 58th minute, Van Dijk lightly kicked Ouattara's leg and initially a direct free kick was awarded, but after the intervention of VAR it was judged that the violation was on the edge of the penalty area, so the decision was eventually changed to a penalty. Igor Thiago scored from the penalty spot to make it 3-1.
Slott replaced Bradley, Kerkez and Gakpo with Robertson, Mc Allister and Chiesa. This meant that Soboslay was back at right-back.
It was Soboslay who broke through in the 64th minute and passed to Salah, but at the last moment Collins blocked.
In the 66th minute, Brentford missed a great chance for a fourth goal. However, Ouattara missed a header from a very good position.
Ngumoa also came on for Liverpool, but that didn't help either.
In the 89th minute, Liverpool still pulled one back. Brentford lost the ball near their own penalty area, Soboslay crossed to Salah, who controlled it well, then shot under the bar.
Liverpool pressed in the dying minutes, but were never able to equalize.