- Brentford hosted Liverpool in the Premier League at the Brentford Community Stadium
- Liverpool needed all the three points to close in on the top four and pass Tottenham in the fifth place
- Goals from Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo capitalised by Konate’s own goal meant Liverpool lost the match
Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four were dashed on Monday as Brentford won 3-1 thanks to shoddy defending.
In the absence of talisman Ivan Toney, Brentford won over Liverpool for the first time since 1938 thanks to goals from Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo after Ibrahima Konate’s own goal at Brentford Community Stadium.
Having trailed 2-0 at the break, Jurgen Klopp made a number of substitutions, replacing Virgil van Dijk, and Liverpool’s 50th-minute header from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave them some hope.
However, Mbuemo capitalized on Konate’s slip-up late on to end the contest and end Liverpool’s Premier League winning streak of four games.
Early on, Mbeumo’s attempt was blocked for a corner, but Brentford scored from the ensuing corner when Konate deflected Mbeumo’s inswinger into his own goal.
Wissa twice had the ball in the net for Brentford as their threat from corners persisted, but both times the offside flag saved Liverpool.
Alisson was unable to deflect the ball before it crossed the goal line as Wissa headed home from Mathias Jensen’s cross.
Brentford forward Yoane Wissa celebrates after scoring the second against Liverpool in the Premier League clash on Monday January 2 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |
Darwin Nunez appeared to have scored immediately after Klopp made a triple substitution at the break, but a VAR review revealed he was offside.
Shortly after, Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was making his 100th league appearance for the Reds, connected with Trent Alexander-exquisite Arnold’s cross to give Liverpool the lead once more.
With six minutes left, however, Brentford secured a thrilling, well-earned victory by forcing Konate off the ball and blasting past Alisson.
Brentford off to a winning start in 2023
With another victory over one of the big boys, Brentford has defeated Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool this season, continuing their outstanding Premier League run.
A great victory and performance without the key player Toney helped them climb to seventh place, just two points behind Liverpool, and the Bees have undoubtedly put any worries about relegation to rest.
Magnificent Mbeumo
Mbeumo wasted a significant opportunity early on, but he recovered with an incredible display of creativity before adding the third goal late in the game.
Bryan Mbuemo scored the third for Brentford against Liverpool in the Premier League clash. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |
His team-high two chances-creating set-piece deliveries caused mayhem for Liverpool the entire game, and his 84th-minute goal capped off a spectacular display.
Poor Nunez again
Nunez, who cost Liverpool £85 million, failed to score again here, including a terrible mistake in the first half, raising more concerns about his finishing from the Aston Villa match.
Nunez put in the effort by maneuvering around the goalie after Mohamed Salah’s throughball, but Ben Mee cleared the line to stop Nunez’s strike.
Nunez’s situation did not improve when he failed to help his team get back into the game after having a goal disallowed after the break. This season, he has missed more significant opportunities than any other Premier League player (15).
On Saturday, both teams will be competing in the FA Cup third round, with Brentford hosting West Ham and Liverpool playing Wolves at Anfield.
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