Brentford Stun Liverpool 3-2: Reigning Champions Still Off Track

Karun Abraham

Sports Journalist

“Long throws, fast breaks, near-post craft, Brentford won the details, and the details won the game.”

Disappointing defeat for Liverpool

Brentford beat Liverpool 3-2 in a breathless, physical game built on set-piece nous and direct transitions.

Dango Ouattara (5′) volleyed the hosts in front from a long-throw routine, Kevin Schade (45′) doubled the lead with a calm one-on-one just before the interval, and Igor Thiago (60′, pen) restored a two-goal cushion after Liverpool had pulled one back through Milos Kerkez (45+5′).

Mohamed Salah’s late strike (89′) set up a frantic finish making his goal comeback too, but Keith Andrews’ side closed it out with brave box defending and savvy game management.

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First Half - A throw, a dagger, and a lifeline

Brentford landed their punch almost immediately. From a trademark long throw, a near-post flick created chaos, and Ouattara hooked a sharp volley inside the far post for 1-0 on 5′. Liverpool had territory but struggled for incision against Brentford’s compact 4-4-2. Then came the second: a clipped ball in behind released Schade, who timed his run and finished low on 45′ for 2-0.

The visitors grabbed a lifeline in stoppage time. Conor Bradley’s driven cross reached Kerkez at the back post, and he forced the ball over the line for 2–1 on 45+5′, his first for the club and a sizable momentum swing heading into the tunnel.

Second Half - Penalty leverage and a late scare

Any sense of a Liverpool siege fizzled when Virgil van Dijk clipped Ouattara in the area just after the hour. After a check, the referee pointed to the spot and Igor Thiago converted coolly for 3-1 on 60′.

Liverpool pushed late and finally broke through when Salah rifled in on 89′ to make it 3-2, but Brentford’s first-contact dominance and clear heads in a sprawling stoppage-time period got them over the line.

Tactical Snapshot

Brentford

• Restart weaponry: Long throws and corners targeted the near-post lanes with pre-planned blocks; the opener came straight from that playbook.
• Direct channels: When Liverpool’s full-backs advanced, Brentford hit early diagonals for Schade and Ouattara, producing the second goal and several dangerous counters.
• Box defending: The centre-backs attacked everything in the six-yard lane, while the midfield collapsed fast to smother second balls.

Liverpool

• Set-piece detail: The long-throw concession and a poorly defended penalty were decisive game states.
• Shot quality vs. volume: Possession skewed their way, but Brentford funnelled attempts into crowded angles until very late.
• Late push: The Salah goal reflected improved final-third speed, yet it arrived too late to change the outcome.

Individual Performances

• Dango Ouattara (Brentford) - Player of the Match: Explosive opener and relentless vertical running; won the key penalty sequence.
• Kevin Schade (Brentford) - Ice-cold finish for 2–0 and constant outlet into the right channel.
• Igor Thiago (Brentford) - Nerves of steel from the spot; tireless target work all game.
• Long-Throw Specialist (Brentford) - Repeatedly turned restarts into chances and set the tone for the opener.
• Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) - Back-post finish for his first Liverpool goal; positive energy down the flank.
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - Late lifter with a precise 89′ strike; Liverpool’s sharpest cutting edge in the final minutes.

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Aftermath and Implications

The defeat leaves the Reds with work to do, particularly on near-post coverage at corners/throws, second-phase defending, and transition protection when both full-backs push.

The Bees rise with a victory underpinned by repeatable strengths: restarts, direct width, and box security. It’s another reminder that at the Gtech Stadium, territory rarely equals comfort; you must beat Brentford at the margins as well as in open play.

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