Michael
Liverpool blew the chance to close the gap on the top four as Brentford claimed a deserved 3-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees were missing top scorer Ivan Toney through injury but it did little to undermine their game-plan as Thomas Frank’s side held on to take all three points.
Darwin Nunez had an early opportunity cleared off the line for the visitors before Ibrahima Konate was unfortunate to see a right-wing corner divert off his knee and into his own net on 19 minutes.
The home team continued to look the more likely and had two further efforts from set pieces chalked off by VAR before Yoane Wissa headed beyond Alisson three minutes prior to the break.
Losing 2-0. Jurgen Klopp responded making three half-time changes after a poor opening 45 minutes – including the departure of captain Virgil van Dijk – and the Reds boss got an almost immediate response.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain marked his 100th league appearance for the club by nodding in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lovely cross on 50 minutes.
Liverpool were much-improved and dominated for long spells throughout the second period but could not muster an equaliser, leaving Bryan Mbeumo to rub salt in their wounds by firing in a clincher six minutes from time.
The result means Liverpool stay sixth and remain four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United having played a game more.
EPL result: Brentford 3-1 Liverpool
Next game: Liverpool host Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday, 7 January 2023
