Back in August, it might have seemed unimaginable for Brentford to top their 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United, but they came close here against Liverpool. They had the ball in the net four times in the first half, at least, as Liverpool lost their heads and suffered a defeat that is as damaging as it is embarrassing. Perhaps the harshest truth that Jurgen Klopp must face is that his team looked like the version of Manchester United those on Merseyside have enjoyed mocking in recent years: weak defensively, lacking leadership across the pitch and facing a real fight to make the top four.
Even without Ivan Toney, Brentford bullied Liverpool, producing the full experience of what you expect from Thomas Frank’s side in this corner of west London. The damage was done in the first half thanks to Yoane Wissa, and it was sealed late on as Bryan Mbeumo barged Ibrahima Konate aside to add Brentford’s third. Without Toney, Brentford were not dialled down but rather powered up by the deployment of Mbeumo and Wissa as split strikers. Mbeumo was a constant menace with his inswinging delivery, while Wissa more than replicated Toney’s hustle and bustle. He doubled Brentford’s lead before half-time, after he had seen two other goals disallowed in a frantic period of play.
