Liverpool’s run of four consecutive Premier League victories was abruptly ended by a surprise defeat at Brentford.
The Reds deservedly went down 3-1 in west London to open 2023 on Monday after a first-half horror show that saw Ibrahima Konate inadvertently deflect a corner past Alisson and Yoane Wissa have two goals ruled out before heading in just before the break.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain halved the deficit by heading in Trent Alexander-Arnolds’s cross after half-time following a disallowed Darwin Nunez effort, but Brentford would not be denied another famous home scalp as Bryan Mbeumo outmucled Ibrahima Konate to notch a decisive late third for the hosts, who were missing talisman and top scorer Ivan Toney through injury.
Here’s how Jurgen Klopp’s side rated at the Gtech Community Stadium...
Alisson 5
Done no favours by those in front of him. Almost made a brilliant save from Wissa’s header but the ball was over the line.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 5
Went for a wander for one of Wissa’s disallowed goals, then neither he nor Konate tracked the forward for the one that counted. Brilliant cross for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s header in a much-improved second half.
Ibrahima Konate 4
Returned following France’s run to the World Cup final with an unlucky own goal. Showed excellent recovery pace on several occasions but too weak against Mbeumo for the clincher.
Virgil van Dijk 4
Caught out in Liverpool’s vulnerable left channel on several occasions but still a huge surprise to see him hooked at the break.
Kostas Tsimikas 3
Had a bit of a nightmare. Should’ve done better with a fine back-post chance and then exposed in build-up to Wissa’s header. Dragged at half-time.
Fabinho 5
Back in the side following the birth of his child but was outshone by Christian Norgaard.
Thiago Alcantara 4
Overrun in the first half and too often slowed the play down. Another who got better after the break. Booked.
Harvey Elliott 4
Ineffective in the main and sacrificed at half-time. Booked for halting Rico Henry on the counter-attack.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 5
Made his 100th League appearance for the club and marked it with a fine headed finish.
Darwin Nunez 5
Luck is not with the Uruguayan, who looked to have opened the scoring when rounding David Raya early on, only to be denied by a Ben Mee block on the line, then saw a brilliant finish ruled out for offside.
Mohamed Salah 5
Brilliant touch and pass played in Nunez but then quiet.
Substitutes
Joel Matip (Konate 46’) 5
Andrew Robertson (Tsimikas 46’) 6
Had an instant impact with drive down the left.
Naby Keita (Elliott 46’) 5
Helped bring more control to the midfield.
Curtis Jones (Oxlade-Chamberlain-Chamberlain 84’)
Unused: Kelleher, Gomez, Phillips, Carvalho, Bajcetic
