Liverpool moved inside one level of fourth place on Saturday night as they beat Brentford 1-0 within the Premier League at Anfield. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring inside within the thirteenth minute after timing his run nicely from Virgil van Dijk‘s header again throughout the field, including the crowning glory to a a centesimal Anfield aim to earn him centurion standing.
The Reds ought to have discovered themselves headed into the break with a 2-0 lead, however Darwin Nunez could not apply the crowning glory to an beautiful move from Trent Alexander-Arnold, although the house facet did have a primary half aim when Bryan Mbeumo had the ball behind the online earlier than it was rapidly referred to as again for offside.
Diogo Jota helped create the very best probability of the second half with a cross that was hit with tempo throughout the six-yard field, however Cody Gakpo could not divert it into an empty web. Liverpool’s subsequent probability did not come till Alexander-Arnold’s long-range effort pressured a powerful cease from David Raya diving to his proper.
The introduction of James Milner and Jordan Henderson helped add stability to the midfield, with the Reds controlling the rest of the sport to safe all three factors.
Positives
Jurgen Klopp’s facet managed the sport nicely and created sufficient probabilities to make sure a cushty victory. In opposition to a facet who they struggled towards final time round, Liverpool’s efficiency right this moment indicated that they’ve turned a nook since their win at Elland Highway towards Leeds.
Negatives
Liverpool gave away too many set-pieces towards the most effective sides at changing them within the Premier League this season.
Supervisor ranking (1-10; 10 = greatest)
Jurgen Klopp, 7 — Klopp’s system continued to offer dividends by way of probability creation, with Liverpool sustaining management of the match, although he could possibly be disillusioned with a few of the fouls his facet conceded. Appeared to deploy extra of his taller gamers to cope with the Bees’ set-piece risk.
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Participant scores (gamers launched after 70 minutes get no ranking)
GK Alisson 6 — There wasn’t a lot to cope with for Alisson with Brentford registering only a single shot on track, however he was positioned nicely and confirmed bravery when intercepting crosses — at one level taking a powerful problem from Ivan Toney.
DF Andy Robertson 6 — Stretched the play down the left-flank and was fast together with his crosses into the field, however they did not fairly attain the goal. Linked up nicely together with his crew mates after they roamed onto his facet.
DF Virgil van Dijk 7 — An help for Virgil van DIjk noticed him astutely decide Salah out on the backpost, and bought his determination proper when holding his line towards Bryan Mbeumo, who had the ball within the web earlier than it was introduced again for offside.
DF Ibrahima Konate 7 — Anticipated attacking strikes to clear the hazard and saved his place impressively in Liverpool’s defensive position. Picked up a pointless reserving after kicking the ball away after a foul.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold 7 — Excelled once more in his new function and was very unlucky to not have an help when creating an enormous alternative for Nunez. Caught on the ball at one level within the first half, however Konate was fast to intervene.
MF Fabinho 7 — A wonderful ball from the Brazil worldwide opened up the Brentford defence within the construct as much as Liverpool’s first aim, permitting Van Dijk to chop again for Salah. Aggressive within the problem, however typically gave away fouls too simply.
MF Curtis Jones 6 — Jones roamed across the pitch for Liverpool and sometimes made the precise determination together with his passing, with nearly all of his performs targeted on sustaining possession reasonably than opening up the opposition.
FW Diogo Jota 6 — Labored onerous throughout the road and was a risk with runs in behind, first forcing Mbeumo to commit a yellow card offence earlier than pressuring Aaron Hickey, who needed to work onerous to keep away from conceding possession near his personal aim. Flashed the ball throughout the field however put an excessive amount of tempo on it for Gakpo to transform.
FW Darwin Nunez 6 — Indicators of frustration from Nunez have been clear as he missed an opportunity he actually ought to have been higher with when timing his run behind the road from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move. Changed by Luis Diaz shortly after the hour mark.
FW Cody Gakpo 6 — Deployed in a deeper function by Jurgen Klopp and was vivid when driving with the ball forwards into attacking areas. Had an opportunity to play Salah by means of within the second half however appeared to get combined up with what move the Egypt worldwide most well-liked.
FW Mohamed Salah 7 — It took Mohamed Salah simply 13 minutes to attain what was his a centesimal aim at Anfield, the place he additionally turned the primary participant in Liverpool’s historical past to attain in 9 consecutive house matches. The Egypt worldwide confirmed confidence in possession and was keen to run with the ball at a number of Brentford defenders, and he was on the coronary heart of nearly all of Liverpool’s greatest attacking performs.
Substitutes
Luis Diaz (Nunez, 65′) 6 –– On for Nunez simply after the hour mark however did not actually get the chance to problem his marker instantly.
Jordan Henderson (Jota, 73′) 6 — Offered further stability in Liverpool’s midfield because the match approached the ultimate phases. Overlapping runs down the precise flank helped create area for Salah in attacking areas.
James Milner (Jones, 82′) N/R — On for Jones with Klopp opting to make use of Milner’s expertise to assist see the sport out.
Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson, 82′) N/R — A like-for-like swap for Andy Robertson on the left flank.