Brentford vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Bryan Mbeumo seals win
Liverpool failed to make it five Premier League wins in a row
Liverpool’s poor defending cost them dearly as Brentford claimed another famous scalp with a 3-1 victory.
An Ibrahima Konate own goal and Yoane Wissa’s header put the Bees in control, prompting angry Reds boss Jurgen Klopp to substitute key defender Virgil van Dijk at half-time.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled one back but Bryan Mbeumo killed the Reds off as they lost more ground in the race for a top-four Premier League finish.
It was a case of no Ivan Toney, no problem for Brentford as Liverpool went the same way as Manchester United and Manchester City this season.
Thomas Frank calls on Brentford to use home advantage
Leaders Arsenal are the only visiting team to have tasted victory at the Gtech Community Stadium this season and Thomas Frank is determined to make the ground “a fortress”.
“We have massive belief in ourselves,” said the Dane. “We have a fantastic group of players. We speak about our attitude all the time - we are confident but humble.
“We’re very confident that we can get a very good result against any team, but also humble to know that we have to put so much hard work in.
“Liverpool is a fantastic team, with a fantastic manager. It doesn’t really matter when you face Liverpool, they are always good.
“Under the floodlights at the Gtech, we’ll come flying out and do everything we can to get the three points.
“We want to make it a fortress. We want to be really difficult to play against, also away from home, but especially at home. We need to be brave and aggressive and we need to attack.”
Jurgen Klopp demands more from Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp knows improvements have to be made quickly after admitting the majority of his players were not on top of their games in the victory over Leicester.
It took two own goals from the hapless Wout Faes to turn around a 1-0 deficit following some particularly lapse defending and only Thiago Alcantara could leave the field at half-time knowing he had been anywhere close to the level expected.
There was an upturn in the second half, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold stepping up in his defensive duties, but with Brentford - who have already shocked Manchester United and Manchester City this season - to come on Monday, Klopp knows they cannot afford another off day.
“The result is very pleasing obviously but we all saw the game and it was not our best performance, we know that,” he said.
“We had a few good performances, really good performances, but the majority were not on top of their game, let me say it like this, and that’s why this can happen.
“When it’s only 2-1 against a good opponent then you have to fight through. That’s what we did and I’m pleased with that, but of course we have to play better.
“Now we have just two days and we don’t know exactly who can go again and stuff like this. But Brentford have the same situation.
“They are in a really good moment, I think. I saw big parts of the Tottenham game (a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day) and a lot of things were really good.
“I didn’t see yet anything from the West Ham game (a 2-0 win) but will watch it as well.
“And we had our problems then with the way they play, so we have to make sure we are ready for that. That’s all I’m concerned about in the moment.”
Brentford vs Liverpool: Team news
So, as expected, Cody Gakpo was not registered in time to feature here for Liverpool and will likely make his debut in the FA Cup this weekend. Andrew Robertson drops to the bench and Jordan Henderson misses out completely with concussion, so Konstantinos Tsimikas starts at left-back and Fabinho comes into midfield. Ibrahima Konate also replaces Joel Matip in defence.
Brentford are without the injured Ivan Toney, despite Thomas Frank’s positive assessment in his press conference yesterday, so Yoane Wissa joins Bryan Mbeumo up front. Vitaly Janelt comes into midfield in place of Josh Dasilva.
Confirmed lineups
Brentford: Raya, Roerslev, Zanka, Mee, Pinnock, Henry, Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Subs: Strakosha, Canos, Dasilva, Ghoddos, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Bech Sorensen, Crama, Trevitt.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Nunez.
Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Keita, Jones, Robertson, Carvalho, Matip, Bajcetic, Phillips.
Brentford vs Liverpool
Top-four chasing Liverpool play at mid-table Brentford in the only Premier League game today.
A win would move Jurgen Klopp’s team above fifth-place Tottenham. Liverpool won’t be allowed to get over-confident, though. Brentford, who won 2-1 at Manchester City before the World Cup break, beat West Ham 2-0 on Friday and Klopp is wary of facing the London club.
Both sides are in good form. Liverpool are chasing their fifth straight league win while Brentford are on a five-game unbeaten streak.
Brentford vs Liverpool
Latest updates from the Gtech Community Stadium where Brentford host Liverpool.
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