Liverpool vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Mohamed Salah strikes to seal victory
Liverpool 2-0 Brentford: Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured victory in Arne Slot’s first game at Anfield
Liverpool made it two Premier League wins from two as Arne Slot enjoyed an excellent 2-0 win in his Anfield housewarming.
A fine counter-attacking goal from Luis Diaz and typically cool finish from Mohamed Salah sunk Brentford as Slot’s side again produced a composed performance to build on last week’s success against Ipswich. The Dutch manager had stuck largely with a settled side and there were signs again of a team beginning to find their groove, the hosts building into the game and producing a string of second-half chances that, on another day, might have led to more goals.
The visitors’ hunt for a goal at Anfield continues despite plenty of bright periods in the encounter. But with Ivan Toney again left out as the striker negotiates a move to Saudi Arabia, Brentford lacked the cut and thrust required to regularly test Alisson. It left Slot able to soak up the atmosphere as the Kop serenaded the new Liverpool boss, content with another three points to keep pace with Brighton, Arsenal and Manchester City after the opening two weekends of the season.
Re-live all of the action from the Premier League clash below:
Liverpool 1-0 Brentford, 15 minutes
Thomas Frank will be furious with the concession of that goal. He will rightly feel his side have a good chance at threatening at corners, but there were great expanses left open once Janelt had committed himself in the ‘D’ on the edge of the Liverpool box.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 Brentford (Luis Diaz, 13 minutes)
And Liverpool show Brentford how it is done!
A dynamite counter-attack as the hosts go from coast to coast in a matter of moments! Brentford load up the box hoping to profit from a corner, but are left exposed at the back as Mohamed Salah wins a 50/50 against Vitaly Janelt. Off the rest of the forward cohort go, Diogo Jota picking the right pass, Luis Diaz the right run, and the former’s pass sends the latter through on goal.
There’s a bit to do still, but the Colombian finishes with aplomb.
Liverpool 0-0 Brentford, 11 minutes
Up the big men lumber to contest the delivery, but they are soon making their way back into the Liverpool half rather more hastily, Yoane Wissa setting off having won the race to a bouncing ball 30 yards from his own goal. Dominik Szboszlai shows an impressive turn of speed to close down Wissa’s options and prevent the situation deteriorating for the hosts.
Liverpool 0-0 Brentford, 9 minutes
Liverpool’s brightest early period of possession ends with a rare loose touch from Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian atones, putting the hard yards in to pinch the ball back. Liverpool soon earn a corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Brentford, 6 minutes
Brentford press high and force Ibrahima Konate to boot long from by his corner flag, passing options having been cut off by pink shirts.
A first ramble in earnest from Yoane Wissa, finding a footpath along the left touchline and following it to full extent. His cross is ten yards in front of Bryan Mbeumo, though, and no-one else has yet navigated their way to join the Brentford front two in the box.
Liverpool 0-0 Brentford, 4 minutes
It’s Mathias Jensen out on the right of the Brentford midfield, Thomas Frank perhaps recognising the threat that Liverpool’s full-backs pose and thus trying to put bodies in front of them. Liverpool will feel comfortable that their midfield can control the flow, though it’s a relatively scrappy start as both teams hurry and hustle the men in possession.
Liverpool 0-0 Brentford, 2 minutes
Liverpool again have Ryan Gravenberch sitting, the Dutchman patrolling the centre circle effectively to first win it and then give it. Ethan Pinnock deals well with a pursuing Diogo Jota after a ball is threaded up beyond the centre half, the Brentford defender using his bulk cleverly to squeeze Jota out.
Liverpool 0-0 Brentford, 1 minute
It looks, initially, like a back four for Brentford, with Lewis Keane-Potter up on the left of a midfield four. Yoanne Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo form a front two.
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