Brentford v Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Jurgen Klopp’s men go five points clear
Brentford 1-4 Liverpool: Mo Salah returned with a goal and assist as Liverpool breezed past Brentford
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a clinical and professional display against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp’s men took advantage in the early stages, controlling possession and feeding passes into their in-form strikers Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. They found it difficult to break down the Bees’ solid defence though and needed a slick counter-attack to score the opening goal – Jota nodding the ball to Nunez who finished with a superb chip.
Jota then took a heavy tackle and needing to be subbed off, adding to Liverpool’s injury woes, but his replacement was Liverpool’s returning hero Mohamed Salah. He set up Alexis Mac Allister for the second goal before a strong solo effort earned him the third.
Ivan Toney scored a consolation, but Cody Gakpo secured the points with Liverpool’s fourth goal five minutes from time. With Arsenal and Manchester City still to play, Liverpool have set the benchmark for the weekend.
Relive the action with our live blog below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Jurgen Klopp said he would be surprised if all the major clubs in Europe tried to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer – because most of them cannot afford to.
The France captain has told Paris Saint-Germain that he intends to leave at the end of the season, when his contract expires.
Mbappe, the scorer of a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final and a club record 243 goals for PSG, may be available on a free transfer, though PSG could trigger a one-year extension so any deal could involve a transfer fee.
Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal have to be “in that conversation” to sign players of Mbappe’s calibre, though the forward is expected to join Real Madrid.
But while Klopp is leaving Liverpool and is not playing a part in their recruitment plans, adding that he had “no clue” if it is certain the forward will sign for Real, the German believes Mbappe is too expensive for some of the biggest clubs.
Jurgen Klopp details Liverpool’s problem in pursuit of Kylian Mbappe
The Frenchman has told his club, Paris Saint-Germain, that he intends to leave this summer when his contract expires
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Jurgen Klopp had branded himself one of the managerial dinosaurs when he identified who he believes is the outstanding coach of the next generation. It is a choice many a Liverpool fan may hope their board will echo. Because while Klopp was not anointing Xabi Alonso his successor at Anfield, a glowing tribute was an endorsement of the work the Spaniard is doing with Bayer Leverkusen.
Klopp would, he said, have been effusive in his praise a couple of months back. If one fundamental change since then is the German’s announcement that he will leave Liverpool, another came on Saturday. Leverkusen’s 3-0 win over Bayern Munich put them five points clear at the Bundesliga summit, making Alonso on course to become the first manager to make any club other than the Bavarian superpower the champions of Germany since Klopp himself. Time will tell if the Spaniard replaces Klopp in another respect.
Jurgen Klopp backs Xabi Alonso as top choice in next generation of managers
The 42-year-old Bayer Leverkusen coach is being tipped to replace Klopp at Liverpool and could emulate the German by winning the Bundesliga with a team other than Bayern Munich
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Mohamed Salah as they travel to take on Brentford in the Premier League.
Salah has returned to training after recovering from an injury suffered while on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
His potential availability would be significant for a Liverpool side hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table.
They take on a Brentford side who secured a much-needed win against Wolves last time out with a congested relegation battle beginning to develop.
Here’s everything you need to know. Get the latest Brentford vs Liverpool odds and tips here.
Is Brentford vs Liverpool on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League fixture
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
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