Liverpool got their first-ever win at the Gtech stadium after beating Brentford 4-1 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. It’s the fifth time Jurgen Klopp’s men have scored four goals or more in a game since the start of 2024 as they continued their pursuit of a second Premier League title.
Key Takeaways from Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Brentford
Watch: The Domino Effect Ruining Football
Salah Returns
Mohamed Salah made his first appearance for Liverpool since New Year’s Day following AFCON and injury. His return was a hugely successful one. The Egyptian came off the bench earlier than likely planned following Diogo Jota’s first-half injury, but it didn’t take long for The Reds’ Number 11 to get back into the swing of things.
Salah provided the assist – for Liverpool’s 2nd goal in the 55th minute, scored by Alexis Mac Allister, before adding the third himself in the 68th, taking him up to 15 league goals and nine league assists, the highest in the Liverpool squad.
Liverpool Beat Brentford in the Long Ball Game
No one would have had Liverpool to dominate long balls in this game, but that is what played out and was a vital feature of the Reds’ win. Such is the direct threat Brentford pose, as well as their aerial dominance – many had a tough afternoon in store for Klopp’s men and fans were surprised when Joe Gomez was left out of the starting eleven, feeling he would be more suitable at dealing with the threat.
Read More: Good Is Not Good Enough: Man United Give Major Transfer Update
Brentford’s counter-attacks were causing problems for the away side in the first half, but the Bees often failed to capitalise, being wasteful in the final third. It was from set pieces where the home team were abnormally poor, and every time they had a free kick in the Reds’ half, Liverpool were not only able to clear but would turn it into their own counter-attacks.
That was how the first goal came about after a Virgil van Dijk clearance was wonderfully headed on by Diogo Jota around halfway to his teammate, Darwin Nunez, who provided the most exquisite lob over Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal. It was an exceptional and courageous finish from the Uruguayan, considering his misfortune in front of goal at times.
Liverpool’s third also saw a long ball flicked on by Cody Gakpo to be converted by the aforementioned Salah.
Big three points on the road ✊ pic.twitter.com/F4VFKR9AGB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 17, 2024
Injuries Continue to Threaten Liverpool’s Season
Liverpool’s injury woes were already mounting in the build-up to this game. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai were ruled out earlier in the week, and they were joined late by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was injured in training the day before the Brentford game.
Klopp’s luck seems to be out on this front as Curtis Jones had to be replaced by Ryan Gravenberch in the first half, whilst Darwin Nunez was taken off at halftime as a precaution. It added to Jota’s departure via a stretcher.
Read More: Liverpool Injury Concerns Continue: How Do They Deal Without Key Stars?
The magnitude of the situation will be assessed in the coming days, but it stretches the Reds’ squad as they head into the business end of the campaign. The Liverpool manager will have been pleased to see substitutes Gravenberch, Gakpo and Salah all playing significant parts in the win as he is consistently forced to juggle his squad. If the three players who were taken off today remain absent, it takes Klopp’s injuries up to nine.
Liverpool have a home game against Luton Town in the Premier League next on February 21 before meeting Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final the following weekend.
