Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scored on either side of halftime as Liverpool delivered another smothering, controlling win under new boss Arne Slot, this one 2-0 over Brentford at Anfield on Sunday.
The game looked a lot like Week 1 for Liverpool, when the Reds managed a 2-0 victory at newly-promoted Ipswich Town, but was made more comfortable by Diaz’s first-half goal off a Salah- and Diogo Jota-produced counter attack
Brentford rarely threatened Liverpool, and Alisson Becker made a terrific save on the Bees’ best chance. Brentford again did not deploy Ivan Toney as it seeks resolution on his future away from the club.
Liverpool move to 2-0-0 and take another step up when they visit Manchester United at Old Trafford in Week 3.
Brentford slip to 1-0-1.
Arne allows a ‘different’ Anfield total control
If you noted a less-rowdy Anfield during Sunday’s Premier League opener, you weren’t alone. It felt like Liverpool is still getting used to Arne Slot, who — like almost everyone — is a remarkably-different personality to one Jurgen Klopp.
Here’s the thing, though: Liverpool look rock solid. Yes, there’s a bit less electricity in the press and moving forward, but there has been near total control of their opposition through 180 minutes against two admittedly less-than-great opponents.
The Reds kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets just once last season. That’s been matched.
The Reds allowed almost zero danger on Sunday, and it was simply a matter of how many they’d score in front of a genius midfield of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. The IQ of that bunch is very high. Sure, it’s more fun when Jordan Henderson is screaming and pointing, but not much of that’s needed when the men in the middle are in the right spot. It definitely helps Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate operate better.
Bigger tests will happen — and soon — but there’s reason to believe Liverpool may already be capable of challenging anyone in the Premier League.
Liverpool vs Brentford player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Brentford player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Brentford player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Brentford got to Colchester United at 2:45pm ET Wednesday in the League Cup, returning to Premier League play at home to Southampton for a 10am ET Saturday scrap.
Liverpool wait for that huge Sunday trip to historic rivals Manchester United.
“A good one because we knew we had to face a difficult opponent who can threatent you from any phase of play. Very dangerous on the counter attack and on set pieces. The only things we gave away were one or two set pieces. For the rest we had total control in my opinion.”
“It’s only a nice experience if you win. The fans loved what they see today, they love to see the work rate of the players, some attacks we had in the second half. Altogether it’s a really nice day for the team and the club and because of that also for me.”
Virgil van Dijk is joining Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe on Peacock Premium after the game.
“Obviously the new manager has different ideas of playing football and overall, the whole game plan, we don’t have much time during the season so we’re doing a lot of work behind the scenes. You see a lot of good stuff out there in possession and also without the ball. The will and willingness to defend is great to see and it’s a good feeling to keep two clean sheets in two games.”
“We want to play out. We want to be in possession. To find the right spaces, you have to adapt sometimes.”
“I don’t think it’s more cautious. We take quite a risk in possession, in build-up. They go man to man and the opponent is quite to brave to do that, because we have good players to find in good spaces. And when we don’t have the ball we have to fight our ass off to get it.”
On how Anfield felt: “Good, like always. It’s home. It’s amazing to always be playing here. The fans bring so much. For everyone out there at Anfield, they’ll enjoy the way we play football but also the intensity we defend as well. We only conceded one big chance off a set piece where they are obviously good.”
Comprehensive. Look at the stats.
xG: Liverpool, 2.65-0.36
Shot attempts: Liverpool, 19-8
Possession: Liverpool, 62%
Neither Ipswich Town and Brentford are 2008-09 Barcelona, but so far Arne Slot’s shown Liverpool to be a very good defensive side.
The Bees have produced 0.36 xG on just eight shots and 38% possession on Sunday through 82 minutes, almost a mirror of the Tractor Boys’ 0.45 xG, seven attempts, and 38% possession in Week 1.
Dominik Szoboszlai turns Brentford over in midfield and it’s quickfire passing to get Mohamed Salah in the box.
Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz touch it en route to Salah, who so precisely bends it around Flekken and inside the far post.
Liverpool make three moves. Off go Jota, Mac Allister, and Alexander-Arnold. On come Darwin Nunez, Conor Bradley, and Cody Gakpo.
2-0 Reds, 73'
Bryan Mbeumo may be a fraction offside before he’s nudged over by Andy Robertson inside the box, and that may be a huge let-off for Robertson.
Would VAR have found a foul if Mbeumo was onside? Ooh, it would’ve been very close. but he’s safe.
Another Brentford corner.
This time the Bees go short, and Jensen swings in a beautiful soaring cross.
Nathan Collins towers above the crowd and nods toward goal. Alisson has to deal with the power of it, and pushes it away with his body moving toward the net.
Good from one of the best to do it.
The first five minutes of the second half look the same as the first half in almost every way.
Liverpool worked a couple of chances, and neither team have made personnel moves at the break.
Now Brentford has a spell of possession, and Bryan Mbeumo has a shot deflect out for a corner kick. The Bees swing in their corner and nothing much comes of the opportunity as Mads Roerslev swings wildly over the goal from 24 yards.
Still up for grabs even if the hosts have their expected advantage.
Ten total shot attempts in the half, five each, and both teams have seen two players cautioned as the midfield temperature’s been raised a few times. Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch are in the book.
xG (0.70-0.19) and possession (56-44) are with the Reds. Might we see former Reds prospect Fabio Carvalho in the second half?
Trent Alexander-Arnold cuts inside and lashes the ball with his left foot.
It turns wickedly off the back of Norgaard for another Reds’ corner kick.
But Liverpool is not doing much with those, and the danger is cleared.
Still 1-0 Reds, 42nd minute.
Bryan Mbeumo sends in a terrific free kick from the left.
Christian Norgaard is at the front of the pack and turns a header across goal but it doesn’t make its way inside the far post.
Could’ve easily been 1-1 in the 32nd minute.
Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz work a good 1-2 but Robertson has work to do from a tight angle.
His shot is saved by Flekken to produce a corner kick, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s service is nodded out by Kristoffer Ajer.
The second corner is punched clear by Flekken and Liverpool will regroup near midfield.
Still 1-0 Liverpool, 20th minute.
There go the Reds, and Arne Slot’s first goal at Anfield as Liverpool boss comes from Luis Diaz.
Mohamed Salah breaks up a corner at the top of the box and Diogo Jota carries the ball up field, driving play well into the Brentford half.
Terrific movement from the attack sees Diaz with time and space to shoot and he hammers a shot past a helpless Mark Flekken.
1-0 after a dozen minutes.
Better from Liverpool as we hit the 10th minute, but here come Brentford on the counter after a Reds corner is too deep.
It seems to be a 4-2-3-1 when Brentford have the ball but the front line is very active so perhaps it’s a 4-2-everybodymove!
These are some away kits for Brentford, who have a pink/lilac mix up top and purple shorts with socks to match the shirts. It’s a choice.
Brentford is four at the back against the Reds, and they look comfortable with the ball to start at Anfield.
Arne Slot is out of the tunnel and Liverpool’s new era feels officially on now that the Dutchman is leading the Reds into a Premier League match at Anfield.
Liverpool might’ve hired Thomas Frank on an alternate timeline, and the brilliant Brentford boss will now deploy his plan to get a first goal — and point — for the Bees at Anfield in their Premier League existence.
Nathan Collins is going to have a busy day at the heart of Brentford’s defense. Can goalkeeer Mark Flekken continue his growth and help the center back out against a high-flying Liverpool attack?
At the other end, Brentford will hope to get the better of Trent Alexander-Arnold as they push down the left. But can Bryan Mbeumo find joy against the challenge of Andy Robertson on the other side?
No Ivan Toney as expected for the Bees.
Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo look to build on solid Week 1 showings in attack.
Here’s the XI:
Flekken, Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen, Mbeumo, Wissa, Lewis-Potter.
Alisson Becker’s in goal behind Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
A midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai looks solid, while Mohamed Salah is joined in attack by Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
This is the 22nd all-time meeting between the two sides, the seventh since the Bees reached the Premier League.
And so far, it’s been a friendly fixture for the favorites.
Liverpool clobbered Brentford home-and-away last season, and are 4-1-1 versus the Bees in the Premier League. The Bees are yet to score at Anfield with an aggregate 7-0 score line in three fixtures.
The win? Jan. 3, 2023 at Brentford.
Liverpool vs Brentford head-to-head record
Liverpool wins: 13
Draws: 4
Brentford wins: 4
Our Andy Edwards predicted a goal-happy 3-2 win for the Reds earlier this week — and that seems fair if not likely — but is another option an Anfield blowout? Thomas Frank’s Bees are always up for a fight but the Reds have shown very few weaknesses this year and might just put on a show at an Anfield ready to welcome their new boss Slot.
BetMGM has Liverpool at -400 to win with a draw at +575 and a Brentford win at +900. They have Liverpool as -135 to score more than three or more goals and the visitors at -500 to be held under two.
Liverpool to not lose (win or draw) is -2000.
Full odds provided by our partner, BetMGM – BetMGM is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on BetMGM for the first time after clicking our links.
Kick off: 11:30 am ET, Sunday
Stadium: Anfield
TV Channel/Stream: Watch online via Peacock Premium