Cripes. That was a game and then some.
Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat of Brentford at Anfield about as close as they come to The Bees pulling something out of the bag.
As Alan Shearer would reflect on Match Of The Day, Brentford could and should have got something from that. He’s right and, on another day, we would have.
It was one of those where the airbrushed highlights didn’t show just how physical Liverpool had to be in order to stop the free-flowing Bees in their tracks time and again. The four yellow cards waved in the direction of the red shirted home side scant reward for seeing our team scythed through. The last resort of a team under pressure and Virgil van Dijk in particular lucky to avoid a second yellow being waved in his direction.
By that point, Liverpool were already ahead. Less than a quarter hour on the clock and Mohamed Salah breaking all sorts of club records as he guided it home from close range. His initial run appearing well off-side but, in fact, he’d timed it to perfection to meet van Dijk’s header across the face of goal. Fairplay to that man and Brentford, who had reverted to the three-centre back formation, now with even more to do.
It was a sensible formation to start with. Moreso in light of the full force frontline Jurgen Klopp had elected to begin with. The aforementioned Salah accompanied by Gakpo, Núñez and Jota (not that one) in a clear statement of intent. Whilst that initial salvo suggested the home team had got it right, there weas to be no more real danger with, if anything, The Bees growing in to this one as the half progressed.
First, Ivan Toney with a free kick from the heart of Saunders territory. We’d seen him do the business from there against Leeds and Forest already this season and he was an inch or so just the wrong side of the post from doing it once again. It was quite the effort from the free-scoring front man who is fast becoming as deadly from free kicks as he is from the penalty spot.
Then, with the kettles being warmed up, Bryan broke free. Picking up the ball just inside the Liverpool half he ran at, through and past van Dijk. The defender left for dead and desperately trying to catch up as Bryan bore down on goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold cutting across could do nothing to thwart Mbeumo either as he fired home an absolute stunner from just inside the box.
What a goal. What a moment. Somewhere up there, Tony Gubba looking down with approval. Then, in the blink of an eye, despair as the linesman’s flag intervened. A marginal offside just inside the halfway line as he set off on that lung busting sprint saving Liverpool’s blushes. Preserving what would ultimately turn out to be a 100th clean sheet for their goalkeeper Alisson. Oh, it would have been dreamland for Brentford had that one stood.
Per the laws of the game it was the correct call but that doesn’t hurt any less after seeing a quite wonderful effort ruled out. Yet if the fans felt any frustration it didn’t seem to be getting to the players out on pitch. Quite the opposite. Brentford picking up the pace once more in the second half and continuing that same high press with which they had ended the opening period. Bryan breaking down the wing. Aaron Hickey building it down the right. Rico, on reflection, could have done better with one where he worked the chance then put in the proverbial cross-cum-shot that ended up being neither.
It was the story of the second half. Brentford pushing. Building. Dominating. The goal surely coming but the final decision or ball in never quite dropping right. Even David Raya’s late sortie up field to try and cause mayhem from an injury time corner unable to tip the balance in our favour. You love to see it and it reflected our control, moreso given his only other real action in the period had been a great save from Alexander-Arnold.
Alas, it wasn’t to be. Brentford gave it a real go (despite what some fan sites may have you believe) but ultimately it is goals that win games. Chances and pressure count for nothing in the grand scheme and the history books will record this as a 1-0 win for Liverpool. Well done to them for that. Likewise in their making ground in that race for Europe where the Bees are now 7 (seven) points off a top six finish with three to play.
Still, if there’s one thing we’ve all learned about Brentford over the years and, of course, this season it is to expect the unexpected. Just ask Manchester United. Or City. Or Liverpool.
It ain’t over ’til it’s over, as popular music’s Lenny Kravitz once sang. Here’s to the visit of West Ham on Sunday when we take our next bite at the top six cherry.
Until then, our regular post-match look at the top five from this game as well as continuing our season long quest to declare Brentford’s overall top performer. Against opposition of this nature everyone needed to be on their game and, to be fair, most were.
Singling out a top five, even in the face of defeat, a tough call when we had pushed our illustrious opponents all the way in their own backyard. A full time debrief saw the same five names I’d gone for generally matched off by those with whom the post-match fat was chewed, metaphorically speaking. As ever the major talking point being that of the running order but with those settled, it means the top five are…
Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 35 (vs Liverpool)
1st (Star Player: 5 points) – Ivan Toney
On a day where Brentford failed to score, the only real question was how? Ivan was everywhere and doing anything he could to get us off the mark.
Yes, there was the free kick. It was one hit exquisitely and came so very close. Yet it was more than this. His ball to release Bryan for the goal that never was seemed to have been played to perfection on first viewing. Whilst the flag got in the way, having the vision to release him from so deep is a skill that can’t be leaned.
Likewise in the second he freed him again with a pass that was up there with the one he’d played off his backside earlier in the season at the Gtech. Again, next level creativity that you’ve no right to expect from somebody who is, looking in, primarily a predator in front of goal. Can you imagine Gary Lineker doing that?
This game showed once again how much more there is to Ivan’s game. Whether clearing up at the back or just being chopped to pieces by a Liverpool side unable to contain his ability, he was standout. Enjoy this man whilst you can because on this season’s showing, there are sure to be clubs knocking on the door over the summer.
2nd (4 points) – Ben Mee
Perhaps Ben has an advantage over others in that every time he does something good, there’s a chant of ‘Meeeee’ to help the hapless observers know who was under it.
By the same virtue, even yours truly has eyes sufficient to see a great performance when it plays out in front of us and so doesn’t need to rely on, what seemed, that constant calling out of his name in recognition of job done. It was one of those games where he was under and through everything thrown in his general direction.
Whilst that’s not to diminish the performance of Ethan or Zanka alongside, it was yet another game where Ben really felt like the outstanding presence in our box. The rock-solid heart of the defence exuding confidence and spreading it to all those around.
3rd (3 points) – Aaron Hickey
A second successive appearance in the top five for Aaron and perhaps a glimpse to the future. Whilst Manchester City have, allegedly (take that click bait with a huge pinch of salt) been sniffing after him, let’s not forget what Aaron has already achieved here. More importantly, that when joined in the summer he had been playing left-back.
On Saturday, Aaron showed just how versatile he is on either flank. Starting in his traditional right sided position and doing everything possible to open up our hosts. To take the game to them. To stop then in those early flourishes when Liverpool’s four-man front line only had eyes one goal.
Then, when Rico was subbed out, he switched across to he left where, not surprisingly, he slotted straight in.
If Ivan is a transfer target then what about Rico who, I’m amazed (abut also very grateful) hasn’t had any serious bid come in? To be clear, I’m NOT for selling Rico. He’s up there with our very best as we have seen season on season. Equally, should we get the offer that can’t be used, then a Hickey / Roerslev combo wouldn’t be one to sniff at.
4th (2 points) – Rico Henry
If Aaron did it down one side, Rico was ripping Liverpool a new one down the other. It was one of those games where Rico did what Rico does so very, very well.
On another day he and the team would have been rewarded with more than a single goal defeat yet if there is any consolation to be taken, it is how much he and we have progressed. The corresponding fixture last season was an utter nightmare. Desperate viewing where we crumbled in the second half and weren’t much better in the first. This time around, it was our hosts on the ropes and desperate to hang on for the win.
5th (1 point) – Bryan Mbeumo
Scored his ‘goal’ with some style. You can be 100% sure that nobody was calling that as offside as the move unfolded. Forget the proximity of Bryan to van Dijk as he set off, it was the turn of pace that left the defender floundering which truly impressed. Not to mention the calmness of finish where one half expected him to Clayton it.
He had other opportunities too and caused merry hell down the left flank in particular. Yet it was one of those where, like the rest of the team, all the effort would eventually come to nothing. Sadly. Play to even half this level and he’s going to run riot against West Ham next time out
Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 35)
All of which means a change at the business end of our table. Ivan stretches his lead and Ben Mee once again has second place under his belt. With just three games left, is there any further change possible? Any late contenders for that top five slot? Bryan is now only two points outside the top five on 42…
Bring on the Hammers when we find out.
1st – Ivan Toney (69 points)
2nd – Ben Mee (62 points)
3rd – Ethan Pinnock (58 points)
4th – Rico Henry (50 points)
T5th – David Raya, Mathias Jensen (44 points)
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickBruzon
2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 35 vs Nick Bruzon
