Brentford 3vs1 Liverpool – Nathaniel Carson, Hampton School

Brentford have been notorious for getting results against the Big Six clubs at home since being promoted in 2021/22, stealing three points against Manchester United and Arsenal and drawing against Tottenham Hotspur twice, Chelsea, and Liverpool. However, Monday’s game against Liverpool could be the best moment for Brentford Football Club yet.

The game started with a huge chance for Liverpool, when Darwin Nunez was presented with an open goal on the side of the six-yard box, but an incredible block by Ben Mee denied the Uruguayan international. It has been a tough season for Nunez, who has had the most ‘big chances’ of anyone in the Premier League, yet only has under a quarter of the goals than top scorer Erling Haaland. Things would only get worse for Liverpool, as in the 19th minute Ibrihima Konate turned a corner into his own net. It was sleepy defending by the Reds, and the well-aimed corner hit an unaware Konate and buried itself into the bottom of the corner out of goalkeeper Alisson’s reach.

Brentford’s second corner would prove to be just as challenging, as after a goalmouth scramble – which involved three excellent saves from Alisson – saw Yoane Wissa turn the ball in. However, the goal would not stand, as Wissa was fairly deemed to be offside. One minute later, Brentford had another corner, with Wissa chesting the ball down and half volleying the ball past the goalkeeper once again. Unfortunately for Wissa, this goal would not count either, as a VAR review would prove that the ball hit an offside Ben Mee on the way through. Third time really was a charm for French—born Congolese as he would finally get his goal just two minutes later, as Mathias Jensen swung a corner on to his head. It would take goal line technology for Wissa, but Alisson couldn’t push the ball away before it did eventually cross the line.

Jurgen Klopp reacted at half time, substituting a trio of players – Robertston, Matip, and Keita for Tsmikas, van Dijk (precautionary), and Elliot respectively. It would pay off, as even though Nunez’s 48th minute strike would be ruled out by VAR for a tight offside, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would glance Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross past David Raya. It was excellent by the young Englishman, as he cut in from the left, before sending his exquisitely placed cross to Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool didn’t capitalise on their momentum, as in the 84th minute Konate lost a foot race to Bryan Mbeumo just outside the Liverpool box with no other defenders near, and Mbeumo slotted the ball away neatly to put the game beyond doubt.  Brentford saw out the rest of the game calmly, and Liverpool never looked significantly threatening. After the game, the players and staff celebrated with fans, dancing and cheering, creating an amazing atmosphere – a sign of the unity at the club.

The result sees Brentford climb up to 7th in the league table with 26 points, leapfrogging Brighton, Chelsea, and Fulham in the process, albeit with one game extra played. The Bees are currently on track to beat their points total from last season by almost ten points. Things are looking up for Brentford, with everyone from top to bottom of the club sharing the same vision, and the results really do speak for themselves.

Meanwhile. Liverpool find themselves sitting just two points and one position further up the table, a long way from where they want to be. The loss on Monday night sees them double their loss tally from last season, and fifteen points away from leaders Arsenal. Liverpool fans will be looking forward to watching new signing Cody Gakpo, who signed from PSV last week, and to welcoming back some key players back from injury.

Brentford Team: Raya, Pinnock, Zanka, Mee, Henry, Norgaard, Jensen, Janelt, Roerslev, Wissa, Mbeumo (Used Subs: Dasilva, Canos, Ghoddos, Lewis-Potter, Sorensen; Unused Subs: Damsgaard, Trevitt, Strakosha, Crama)

Liverpool Team: Alisson, Tsimikas, van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Elliot, Salah, Nunez (Used Subs: Keita, Jones, Robertson, Matip; Unused Subs: Carvalho, Kelleher, Gomez, Bajcetic, Phillips)

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Stadium: Gtech Community Stadium

Attendance: 17,163 (99.5%)