Champions Liverpool faced their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat, losing 3-2 to Brentford on Saturday in another disappointing match in London. Arne Slot’s team quickly fell behind when Dango Ouattara scored from a long throw-in within five minutes, followed by Kevin Schade’s goal just before halftime. Milos Kerkez managed to pull one back for Liverpool before the break with a goal from Conor Bradley’s assist.
Despite Liverpool’s anticipated strong second-half performance, Brentford’s Thiago extended their lead with a penalty in the 60th minute. Mohamed Salah’s late goal in the 89th minute gave Liverpool a glimmer of hope, but it was too little too late. This loss marks Liverpool’s first time experiencing four consecutive league defeats since 2021, with three of those losses occurring in London against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
Liverpool has struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in nine consecutive games across all competitions. They currently sit in sixth place in the league with 15 points, trailing leaders Arsenal by four points, who have the opportunity to widen the gap in their upcoming match against Crystal Palace. Brentford’s victory propelled them to 10th place, trailing Liverpool by only two points.
Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for unity and support to overcome their current challenges. The home fans at Brentford’s stadium taunted Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” reflecting the growing concerns about Liverpool’s performance this season.
Despite a recent Champions League victory, Liverpool’s domestic form has been inconsistent, with their latest defeat matching the number of losses they had in their title-winning campaign last season. Slot admitted that despite preparing for Brentford’s long throw-ins in training, Liverpool was caught off guard by the tactic early in the match.
Brentford’s relentless pressure and a well-earned penalty resulted in Thiago’s successful conversion, further highlighting Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities. Salah’s late goal provided some excitement in the closing stages, but Brentford ultimately secured a deserved victory. Slot expressed disappointment in Liverpool’s performance, emphasizing the need to return to their usual standards in future matches.