Jurgen Klopp said his Liverpool team are able to “do their thing” without Mo Salah and Sadio Mane as the Reds defeated Brentford 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.
All three goals came from different goalscorers as Klopp searches for the players to fill the gap left by the AFCON pair.
The Reds made the breakthrough shortly before half time when some sloppy defending from Brentford allowed Fabinho to head home at the back post from a corner.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then doubled the lead in the 69th minute before Takumi Minamino scored the third and final goal in the 77th minute.
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The performance against a dogged and determined Brentford was anything but vintage, as groans became more and more audible as Liverpool looked lead-footed and laboured in possession without their dazzling strike duo early on.
But goals from unlikely sources was just what the doctor ordered, at the right time, to ensure City cannot hit the cruise control button just yet.
“Winning is good for confidence,” Klopp said. “I don’t think we struggle confidence-wise so we can pretty much cut off the public noise (about Salah and Mane).
“We know we have not got a couple of world class players, but we can still do our thing, like we did today.
“In a normal world, City would go on to win the league, but what is normal nowadays?”
The win for Jurgen Klopp’s men means they overtake Chelsea who were defeated by Manchester City on Saturday.
Brentford remain in 14th place on 23 points.
Player ratings
Liverpool
Alisson – 6
Very little to do, and looked a little shaky whenever he had the ball at his feet, but commanded his box well and was a safe pair of hands.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8
Another game, another assist for the player who has created more chances than any other Premier League player this term. Constant threat when cutting inside.
Andy Robertson – 7
Sublime cross for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal and combined well with Diogo Jota all match. Final ball not quite as accurate as normal.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Comfortable afternoon for the Dutchman, who did not put a foot wrong. Long, ranging passes were not on point for a change, however.
Joel Matip – 6
Sloppy in possession, and gave the ball away in some dangerous areas. Had more success on rare forays forward as Liverpool pressed early on.
Curtis Jones – 6
Showed glimpses of what he can do in patches, jinking past two before seeing one effort well saved, but only offered a fleeting threat throughout.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Got Liverpool going early on as they laboured in possession, quickening the pace when he needed to. Tried to provide an opening out wider on occasion.
Fabinho – 7
Calm and collected in possession, but was guilty of delaying his pass too often, especially in the first half. Goal was well taken, however.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7
Deserved his first league goal of the season and first at Anfield since July 2020 for his tenacity alone. Some wayward finishing early on, but kept coming back for more.
Diogo Jota – 7
Playing in a more wider role, he enjoyed most success when cutting inside. Constantly a thorn in Brentford’s side, without really finding his scoring touch.
Roberto Firmino – 6
Will have to do more against better opposition if Salah’s absence is to be forgotten about. Played his part in clinching goal, and hustled well.
Substitutes:
Takumi Minamino – 6
Goal will hopefully give him confidence to kick on after that miss against Arsenal.
Kaide Gordan – 6
No time to make an impact for Premier League debutant.
Brentford
Alvaro Fernandez – 6
Made several great saves to keep Liverpool at bay, but poor pass gave home side their game-killing third when he had plenty of other options.
Kristoffer Ajer – 6
A little reckless in the tackle and did not do enough when attempting to pick up Fabinho for Liverpool’s opener.
Pontus Jansson – 7
Strong in the air and made several last-ditch blocks when Liverpool looked set to score. Did not deserve to be part of a side that conceded three.
Ethan Pinnock – 7
Nobody made more clearances at Anfield than Pinnock, who reads the game so well. Had his hands full but dealt with the Liverpool threat admirably.
Rico Henry – 5
Offered a threat early on, but disappeared into the match as the game wore on. Struggled to recover defensively before being taken off.
Cristian Norgaard – 6
On his heals for Liverpool’s third goal, but did not do too much else wrong. Offered plenty of protection for the Brentford back four.
Shandon Baptiste – 5
Got stuck in early on, with Fabinho finding it especially hard with no time on the ball, but another who deteriorated in second half.
Vitaly Janelt – 6
Brings energy to the Brentford attack, and offered width when Liverpool were looking stretched on the counter. Needed an end product.
Mads Roerslev – 6
Ineffective and quiet afternoon. Poor in possession and gave the ball away at key moments. Needs to be more careful when under pressure.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
Great chance on the turn at 1-0, which could have swung the match in Brentford’s favour. Otherwise did not really get a sniff.
Ivan Toney – 5
Had some promising openings in the first half, but could not find that final pass when he needed it. Barely involved in second half.
Substitutes:
Sergo Canos – 6
Did not alter course of the match when he came on, as he his team were dead and buried.
Yoane Wissa – 6
Unable to give Brentford an edge in second half.
Man of the match: Trent Alexander-Arnold
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3Fz2CNg
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