EPL: Brentford sting Liverpool in five – goal thriller

Brentford deepened Liverpool’s domestic struggles with a fully deserved 3–2 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

After a midweek Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt, the Reds had hoped to turn the corner, but familiar defensive frailties under manager Arne Slot resurfaced.

Michael Kayode’s long throw caused chaos in Liverpool’s backline in the fifth minute, allowing Dango Ouattara to fire home after Kristoffer Ajer’s flick-on.

The hosts continued to dominate and doubled their lead just before half-time when Kevin Schade latched onto a fine through-ball from Mikkel Damsgaard to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool briefly fought back when Milos Kerkez struck in first-half stoppage time, but Brentford regained control after the interval.

A VAR review awarded the Bees a penalty on the hour mark after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ouattara on the edge of the box. Igor Thiago calmly converted to make it 3–1.

Although Mohamed Salah pulled one back late on with a precise finish, Liverpool’s fourth consecutive league defeat was sealed.

The result leaves Liverpool in sixth place, four points behind leaders Arsenal, while Brentford climb to 10th with their fourth league win of the campaign.