Mohamed Salah scored and assisted on his return as Liverpool thumped Brentford 4-1
Liverpool travelled down to London on Saturday afternoon to play Brentford at Jurgen Klopp’s beloved 12.30pm time slot. The Reds have lost just twice this season in the Premier League, both occurring in London.
Klopp’s team were searching for Liverpool’s first league win at Brentford since beating them 3-1 in March 1938, the goals courtesy of Jack Balmer, Alf Hanson and Jimmy McInnes. It had been a minute to say the least.
Amid a growing injury crisis within the club, Liverpool were now without Alisson for their trip to the Capital, with Caoimhin Kelleher stepping in. The Reds were also still missing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The positive news was that of Mohamed Salah’s return. The Egyptian international would make his first appearance for Liverpool since New Year’s Day’s 4-2 defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield.
After a somewhat lacklustre start at the Gtech Community Stadium, Darwin Nunez put Liverpool ahead in brilliant fashion as the Uruguayan lobbed the Brentford ‘keeper after being played through superbly by Diogo Jota.
They took the 1-0 lead into the half-time break, but the first half was marred by yet more injuries. This time it would be Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones who were both substituted in the opening 45. Goal-scorer Nunez was also taken off at the interval as a precaution.
One soon became two for the Reds as Mohamed Salah’s comeback was marked with an assist just ten minutes into his introduction. Salah provided a well-manoevered ball for Alexis Mac Allister to run onto, with the Argentinian finishing well into the bottom corner.
It would be Salah to wrap the game up for Liverpool as he scored after pouncing on a ball that should have really been defended better than it was by Brentford. A result of poor defending yet clinical finishing from Klopp’s team proved to be the difference-maker.
Boyhood Liverpool fan Ivan Toney scored his first goal against the club he has supported all his life as he pulled one back for Brentford after a superb initial stop from Kelleher.
But the goal would render void as Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal cushion to extend their lead at the top to five points – albeit Manchester City have two games in hand.
It was an impressive performance away from home with Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo fantastic yet again for Liverpool. Despite a heavy injury list, the Reds are looking strong heading into a crucial stage of the season.
It’s Luton Town next for Liverpool as the Hatters travel to Anfield on Wednesday, 21 February. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Brentford team: Flekken, Collins, Ajer, Mee, Roerslev (Lewis-Potter 63), Jensen (Damsgaard 74), Norgaard (Onyeka 63), Janelt, Reguilon (Ghoddos 85), Toney, Maupay (Wissa 63).
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley (Gomez 83), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister (Elliott 83), Endo, Jones (Gravenberch 34), Jota (Salah 44), Nunez (Gakpo 46), Diaz.
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