Liverpool suffered a fourth successive Premier League defeat as they were outclassed and outclassed by Brentford to win deservedly 3-2.
Dango Ouattara and Kevin Shade scored in the first half before Milos Kerkez controversially pulled one back for the visitors in added time, but Igor Thiago’s second-half penalty was enough for Brentford despite Mohamed Salah’s late volley.
Liverpool last lost four league games in a row in February 2021 and were once again out of control and vulnerable defensively, without a goal since September 14 against Burnley, having spent £446m in the summer.
They sit sixth in the Premier League with Sunderland and Manchester United above them and four points behind leaders Arsenal, who visit Crystal Palace on Sunday, live Ski Sports.
How Liverpool lost again
Dango Ouattara celebrates the opening goal
Liverpool were exposed in just the fifth minute when Michael Kayode’s long throw was met by Christopher Ayer at the near post and Ouattara adjusted brilliantly at the back to head home.
Florian Wirz’s wait for his first goal for the club continues after he missed Liverpool’s best chance of the opening period, sending a half-volley inches from the box.
Brentford, however, were the better side throughout. Jordan Henderson, who was playing against his former club, and Ouattara both headed in efforts before Mikel Damsgaard’s long-range effort was turned over by Giorgi Marmardashvili.
Their pressure paid off before the break, albeit in transition. Hugo Ekitike provided the ball in midfield and Damsgaard quickly played an excellent back pass for Schade, who flew over Ibrahim Konate and then slotted home.
Kevin Schade leaves Ibrahima Konate behind to score Brentford’s second goal
However, Brentford supporters and Keith Andrews were furious at half-time when Milos Kerkez pulled one back for Liverpool in the fifth of three added minutes.
Referee Simon Hooper was replaced at the break by fourth official Tim Robinson and pointed to the penalty spot after a VAR review for Virgil van Dijk’s foul on Ouattara. Thiago stepped forward and rolled the point down the middle.
Arne Slott responded with changes, bringing on Alexis McAllister, Andy Robertson and Federico Chiesa, but it was still the hosts who created the better openings and Ouattara headed home a free-kick.
However, Liverpool gave themselves another lifeline late on when Mo Salah controlled the area and instinctively hit a volley that clipped the underside of the crossbar on its way in – but Brentford held on.
Henderson’s verdict on Liverpool…
Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson for TNT Sports:
“From start to finish, we stuck together. Liverpool are a world-class side and a world-class team, so it will take a bit of defending.
“The way we defended together, we kept our composure on the ball and didn’t kick it forward – like Damsgaard was Kev (Schade) and Thiago was a threat all night. He’s been like that all season. All in all, it was a really good game and in the end he deserved to win.”
“You look all over the field, there are quality players all over the field. You can’t find any specific weakness. I know their results have not been great lately, but for me they are still top players and a top team. It’s about getting the rhythm and going. There are many reasons why they didn’t reach the heights of last season, but they are still top players.