Liverpool crashed to a shock 3-1 defeat towards Brentford as a sequence of defensive blunders broken their bid for a prime 4 end within the Premier League on Tuesday (AEDT).
Jurgen Klopp’s facet endured a nightmare begin to 2023 they usually had solely themselves responsible for the horror present in west London.
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Ibrahima Konate’s first half personal purpose set the tone for a night scarred by errors on the again from Liverpool.
Yoane Wissa doubled Brentford’s lead and though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain acquired one again, Bryan Mbeumo wrapped up Brentford’s first victory towards Liverpool since 1938.
In his first look since taking part in in France’s World Cup closing defeat towards Argentina in December, Konate took a big share of the blame for Liverpool’s woeful defensive efficiency.
But the centre-back was removed from alone in deserving criticism for a Liverpool show that left them in sixth place, 4 factors behind fourth positioned Manchester United who play their sport in hand towards Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Although seventh positioned Brentford are on a six-game unbeaten run within the league, together with a formidable win at champions Manchester City simply earlier than the World Cup, it was nonetheless shocking to see Liverpool torn aside so simply.
Brentford have a good time after a well-known 3-1 win over Liverpool. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
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Darwin Nunez, signed from Benfica for $A113 million final yr, was one other poster-boy for Liverpool’s struggles.
The 23-year-old had 13 pictures with out scoring in his earlier two league video games and was out of luck once more within the early levels on the Brentford Community Stadium.
Mohamed Salah’s excellent cross unhinged the Brentford defence and Nunez appeared sure to finish his barren run when he rounded David Raya.
But Ben Mee scampered again to clear his shot off the road as Nunez held his head in disbelief.
Mbeumo went shut with a blistering strike that Alisson Becker turned away for a nook.
It was solely a brief reprieve for Liverpool as Thomas Frank’s staff went in entrance from the ensuing set-piece within the nineteenth minute.
Mee tried to flick on nevertheless it was Konate who acquired the ultimate contact because the ball ricocheted off his knee and squirmed previous the wrong-footed Alisson.
Liverpool have been lucky to keep away from extra set-piece distress when Wissa struck from close-range after the Reds made a hash of clearing a nook, just for an offside name to disclaim Brentford.
Darwin Nunez was dejected after the loss. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Klopp’s facet did not heed the warning and Wissa was left unmarked to drill dwelling from yet one more harmful nook earlier than an offside flag towards Mee as soon as once more spared Liverpool’s blushes.
In disarray on the again, Liverpool have been unable to take care of Brentford’s aerial menace and Wissa lastly acquired on the scoresheet within the forty second minute.
Mathias Jensen’s cross picked out Wissa and the Congo ahead acquired in entrance of Trent Alexander-Arnold for a header that simply crossed the road earlier than Alisson might claw it out.
Klopp was fuming on the touchline as he raged at his shell-shocked gamers.
The German responded by sending on Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson and Naby Keita at half-time, with Virgil van Dijk changed after struggling a leg harm.
Klopp’s adjustments briefly sparked Liverpool and Nunez had an effort dominated out for offside earlier than they diminished the deficit within the fiftieth minute.
After being plagued by crosses within the first half, Liverpool took to the air as Alexander-Arnold’s pin-point supply was headed dwelling by Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Rather than spur Liverpool onto a grandstand end, that purpose was pretty much as good because it acquired for the Reds, who misplaced their manner because the half wore on.
Fittingly, Brentford’s knockout blow was a self-inflicted wound by Liverpool as Konate fell over whereas failing to take care of an extended ball to Mbeumo, who ran clear to fit previous Alisson.
