In a thrilling match at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford handed Premier League champions Liverpool a convincing defeat, exposing the Reds’ defensive vulnerabilities. The win marked a significant upset for the reigning champions, who had bounced back from a four-match losing streak with a midweek triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Michael Kayode’s pinpoint long throw set the tone for the match, with Dango Ouatarra scoring from Kristoffer Ajer’s flick-on in the fifth minute. The hosts continued to trouble Liverpool’s defense, doubling their lead just before halftime through Kevin Schade, who capitalized on a magnificent through-ball from Mikkel Damsgaard.
Despite Milos Kerkez’s late effort in the first half giving Liverpool a glimmer of hope, Brentford maintained their dominance after the break. The Bees restored their two-goal cushion on the hour mark after a VAR-awarded penalty was converted by Igor Thiago. Although Mohamed Salah’s instinctive finish in the dying minutes set up a tense finale, it was too little, too late for Liverpool, who suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat.
The loss leaves Liverpool in sixth place, four points behind leaders Arsenal, while Brentford moved up to 10th after securing an impressive fourth win of the campaign. The defeat raises concerns about Liverpool’s defensive frailties, which have plagued them throughout the season.
