Next defeat for Liverpool FC in the Premier League. At FC Brentford, the “Reds” suffered their fourth defeat in a row with a 2:3 (1:2). Florian Wirtz couldn’t set any accents.
After three defeats in a row, it was clear: Liverpool FC were doomed to win in west London if they wanted to somehow stay close to table leaders Arsenal FC. Wirtz also found himself in the starting line-up after playing well against Eintracht Frankfurt (5-1) in the Champions League.
But the ex-Leverkusen player had barely had the ball at his feet before he and his colleagues were already behind. And they really allowed themselves to be duped. After a long throw-in from the left side, the towering Kristoffer Ajer headed it over and Dango Ouattara was lying across the air at the far post to volley the ball into the guests’ box to make it 1-0 (4th).
Wirtz misses the equalizer
Manchester United recently also had to experience that Brentford is a difficult opponent to play against, losing 3-1 to the “Bees” a few weeks ago. The West Londoners are also an interesting club from a German perspective, with Kevin Schade they have an ex-Freiburger in their ranks who is always invited to the national team by Julian Nagelsmann.
Schade and his colleagues relied on a solid defense against the “Reds”, always ready to counter quickly when they won the ball. In the 20th minute, Wirtz had a huge opportunity, as he thundered the ball just past the left from 13 meters. A little later, Hugo Ekitiké missed a good header chance (22′).
Brentford’s Kevin Schade celebrates his goal
Schade increased to 2-0, Kerkez shortened
Liverpool pressed and had a lot of possession, but the best next opportunity once again came to the hosts: ex-Liverpool player Jordan Henderson shot from 22 meters, but shot just wide to the left. In the 46th minute, the “Reds” called for a penalty after Cody Gakpo went down in the opponent’s 16. But referee Simon Hooper allowed the game to continue and Brentford countered coldly: Schade ran a long ball from his own half, pulled Ibrahima Konaté away and coolly made it 2-0.
But that wasn’t all in an eventful first half: At the end of stoppage time, Hungary national player Milos Kerkez converted a cross pass from Conor Bradley to make it 2-1 (45th + 4).
Brentford is building steam
Liverpool, four points behind Arsenal in the table, had to fend off increasingly dominant hosts in the second half. Brentford fought, won most of the duels and also asserted themselves better and better in terms of play. Vitaly Janelt, who trained at Hamburger SV, narrowly failed with a shot from close range in the 54th minute.
Two minutes later, a penalty for Brentford: Virgil van Dijk stepped on Ouattara’s foot on the 16 line. After a VAR check, it took a long time until the penalty could be taken – substitute Brazilian Thiago coolly converted to make it 3-1 (60th).
Wirtz dives
Brentford were on top, Liverpool, with Wirtz almost completely submerged, tried again, but could hardly prevail against the force of their opponent. It wasn’t until the 89th minute that Mo Salah was able to make it 2-3, but it wasn’t enough for Arne Slot’s team.