Brentford wrote another extraordinary chapter in their Premier League history after recording a famous first win against Liverpool since 1938 as an own goal from Ibrahima Konate and strikes from Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo marked a remarkable 3-1 win.
Konate had the same luck as Leicester’s Wout Faes on Friday night, inadvertently turning the ball into his own net for the opener (19), before Wissa deservedly doubled the home side’s lead with a Mathias cross Jensen (42).
Liverpool swung into action after the break, following a dramatic triple substitution by Jurgen Klopp, in which Virgil van Dijk was withdrawn, prompting a change in form and a brief reversal of fortune.
Image: Brentford players celebrate after going ahead against Liverpool
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, breathing new life into his Reds career, glanced a header beyond David Raya from a pinpoint delivery from Trent Alexander-Arnold (50) but Brentford withstood the rest of the pressure in Liverpool’s half, ending any hopes of an unlikely comeback. .
“After two super intense games, it seemed like the belief was gone,” Klopp admitted after their fifth defeat of the season.
Mbeumo put the finishing touches on a historic triumph seven minutes from time, harassing the weak Konate with the ball, before effortlessly slotting past Alisson.
The Reds missed the chance to move closer to the Champions League places and now sit four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, while resolute Brentford climb to seventh, two points above of their Merseyside counterparts.
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Highlights from Brentford’s 3-1 win against Liverpool in the Premier League
The Bees take advantage of Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses
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In Konate’s own goal, Brentford advances
The writing was on the wall when an exasperated Klopp replaced Van Dijk at half-time, electing to revert to a back three to chase down a 2-0 lead, although the damage was already done.
Liverpool’s defensive shortcomings were exposed against a Brentford side who, without top scorer Ivan Toney, tore through the Reds’ back line with their incisive counter-attacking style.
Konate’s own goal was the stroke of fortune they needed, as Mbeumo’s corner beat Alisson at his near post, through the France international’s shin, the first time Brentford have benefited from a own goal in 28 Premier League home games.
Team news
- Brentford: Ivan Toney had not recovered from the knee injury he picked up at West Ham on Friday.
- Liverpool: Jordan Henderson did not feature, but Fabinho returned to the starting line-up.
Passes from wide continued to cause mayhem during a particularly dominant first half, where Brentford’s Wissa had the ball in the net twice before his third attempt rose, powering a superb header over the bar. Jensen delivery line. Liverpool protested, but Stuart Attwell’s wristwatch indicated that the ball had crossed the line completely.
The hapless Núñez, who added considerably to his growing catalog of missed chances in front of goal, looked to have curtailed the rout shortly after the break, beating Raya in a one-on-one, only to be ruled offside by VAR . the Uruguayan has missed more ‘big chances’ (15) than any other player in the division this season. “Darwin cost us chances,” admitted Klopp after the game.
Oxlade-Chamberlain pounced moments later, but it was Mbeumo who had the final say, putting Konate aside to score his fourth of the campaign.
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Mbeumo shrugs off Konate to score Brentford’s third
Brentford can add their Liverpool scalp to their 4-0 shock win over Manchester United in August, and their 2-1 triumph at champions Manchester City in November, with manager Thomas Frank saying “is up there” in terms of most satisfying wins of his four-year tenure.
Klopp laments the loss of belief
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Jurgen Klopp reacted to Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat by Brentford and questioned referee Stuart Attwell’s decision to disallow Bryan Mbeumo’s goal as he felt the striker clearly pushed Ibrahima Konate in the back.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp:
“Of course I’m not happy [with set-piece defending] – We’ll have to look back at it – the two corners they scored, one was offside or whatever, and the other. Of course, we don’t get along perfectly, but like I said, they’re pushing the rules right now, they’re really pushing, really holding on and everything.
“We should have played better, through the ball plays, Brentford always have a chance to create chaos. They do it well. I respect that.
“It’s not a top game, but we still had chances. The second goal is a gift for Brentford, which makes me very angry. I don’t think it’s great. It’s not that we didn’t fight, in the end. We’re responsible for the defeat
“The defending around the second goal didn’t surprise me, it’s just not good. The second goal we should have defended better, that’s it. Brentford have all my respect. You have to take all your chances.
“After two super intense games, it seemed like the belief was gone.”
Frank: It shouldn’t be possible to beat Liverpool
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Thomas Frank spoke pitchside to Dave Jones, Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville after Brentford’s 3-1 win against Liverpool and praised his players for their performance and said they follow him impressive
Thomas Frank, Brentford manager:
“These players continue to amaze me. They continue to massively impress me with mentality, effort and willpower as a group. In a way, it shouldn’t be possible for Brentford to beat Liverpool. But all in all we did it.
“At set pieces, we know, we’re good. Against Liverpool, they have a lot of success, but it’s no secret that we can get behind them. The way we defend is incredible. Clear structure but brave to go high sometimes
“Konate is a big guy and pretty strong, in a dual with Bryan [Mbeumo] I’d back Konate to win nine out of 10 times. Well done to Bryan.
“We are confident but humble. We have to be confident that we can beat any team in the world. We are very difficult to break down. The second goal is a good example of that, we are brave and aggressive.
“It’s so impressive that we managed to win [without Ivan Toney].”
Analysis: Where have Liverpool gone?
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Jamie Carrager, Gary Neville and Micah Richards debate the future of Liverpool ownership, before ending the discussion with a group dance!
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:
“Jurgen Klopp’s trademark toothy grin has become a much rarer sight this season. It materialized briefly on Friday, but its resurgence was ultimately short-lived after Brentford dealt the final blow to their four hopes, just three days later.
“More often than not, the German has worn the look of a man with growing concerns, perhaps having come to the crushing realization that this Liverpool team is nearing the end of its cycle.
“Football owes Klopp. And it owes Liverpool. For keeping the English top flight interesting and honest when no other team could. Without him, Manchester City’s dominance would have been even more pronounced than it already is.
“Liverpool have defied expectations in some ways and not quite lived up to the hype in others during the Covid-ravaged 2019-20 season. Now others have caught up.
“As Arsenal begin the exciting phase of what appears to be a seismic rise to rival City, Liverpool are falling further and further behind. Perhaps now is the Gunners’ turn to take on the richest club in the league and It was perhaps inevitable that other players would rise to take a seat at the table, but few would have predicted that Liverpool would slip away so easily.
“If ever there was a night for a great reality check, this was it.”
What’s next?
Saturday 14 January at 17:00…