February is beginning to have an air of déjà vu at the Gtech for Brentford. Saturday saw another game against the pretenders to the title. Another game where the Bees dominated the opening half before being undone with the interval approaching. Likewise, another game where the opposition allowed us nothing. But enough about referee Michael Oliver.
The yellow cards not shown to the visitors, resplendent in a shade described by one North stand observer as ‘Milka lilac’, were perplexing to say the least. Equally so the non-penalty awarded to Brentford after Andy Robertson ploughed through Ivan Toney with all the finesse of a farmer steering his John Deere through a muddy field.
In truth though, it was the quality of Liverpool’s finishing that did for Brentford. The precision of their passing aswell as the courage to embrace an old-school Wimbledon style of football. Long balls over the top, completely bypassing the midfield, that accounted for at least two of the goals. Quite breath-taking speed of movement combined with individual errors, the rest.
One has to say they do look good. Regardless of the kit (where we all know chocolate orange is the only acceptable form of confectionary inspired gear).
Darwin Núñez with the first on 35 minutes. Racing on to a ball from Diogo Jota after Virgil van Dijk had cleared a Bees free kick skywards and forwards. The finish was exquisite. Mark Flekken in nets, who had held Liverpool at bay prior, did his best but was powerless to resist.
It was a punch to the solar plexus for a Brentford team who, up until then, had undoubtedly looked the better side. The stronger and the more exciting. Yet as we’ve said so many times, all the pretty play in the world counts for naff all compared to balls in the back of the net.
With the Bees winded but back on their feet, the cause was made only harder by the arrival of Mo Salah just before half-time. Not fair!! This wasn’t in the pre-match script. Didn’t he make the difference when the teams came back out for the second period?
Any thoughts that Salah might have struggled to get back on form after an eight game absence were quickly dispelled. Flekken did well to close him down as he ran on to another long ball raining down from out of the Liverpool back line. It was a warning that then played out in the most lethal of styles.
With just under the hour played, he was there to set up Mac Allister for two. The mercurial Egyptian at his very best. This, before making it three himself on the 68th minute. Less Fantasy Football and more the stuff of nightmares for Brentford. Especially with the chance to get back in to the game via the penalty spot then denied us for reasons that are still not clear.
Ivan Toney did give hope when pulling a goal back for 3-1. A trademark clinical finish from a move involving Wissa and Reguilón lighting the fires of optimism. Thoughts of a final quarter hour push goalwards coming but then being extinguished by Cody Gakpo with Liverpool’s fourth. That man Salah at the heart of the move once again as the score moved to 4-1.
There it stayed. No complaints from the Brentford side. Undone by the quality of a team who may well go on to give their departing manager the league title. There’s no sympathy for his post-match talk of injuries, either. That’s part and parcel of the modern game.
Something Brentford have suffered from horrifically this season (without the multi-million pound squads to backfill from). Ethan Pinnock was our latest absentee – let’s hope the ankle injury that caused him to miss out is only short term. He’s been leading our quest to find the season long star player for Brentford all campaign. For good reason.
Which, with all the subtlety of an Andy Robertson penalty box challenge, brings us on to this week’s top five. As always, we give five points to the star player, four for second place, three for third etc with the totals added up game by game to find an overall winner after game 38.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 24 (vs Liverpool)
1st (Star player: five points) – Mark Flekken
We spoke at the top end about the similarities between this game and the one with City. Sure enough, here’s another – Mark Flekken as star player for Brentford. He pulled off a fine trio of first half saves to keep Liverpool at bay before eventually succumbing to the opener.
Let’s be clear. He was powerless to resist this or, in reflection, any of the goals against. In part, left on his own in no man’s land by a rejigged backline missing the colossus that is Ethan Pinnock.
In equal measure, few teams in the world could have stopped a Liverpool side in this vein of irrepressible form. Without Mark it could have been double the score.
His game has stepped up massively in recent weeks with two first places and a second. Is it down to a change in training routine? Could it be ditching the pink shirt in the League (last worn in the 4-1 reverse to Wolves, apparently)?
Whatever the answer, here’s to many more…
2nd (four points) – Sergio Reguilón
Like Mark, Sergio has been on fire recently with the pair of them trading blows – metaphorically speaking – at the business end of our top five chart.
This was another game where the left-back’s loan signing could prove to be the transfer of the season. At least, for Brentford. A quite incredible five crosses showed just what value he brings to our side from an attacking perspective. Only Vitaly Janelt out tackled him for the Bees. Only the centre backs made more passes – not unsurprising given how we distribute from the ‘keeper.
Whilst Sergio may not have ended this one with the same ‘show reel’ highlights as Mark (that cameo as a medic aside, where his role in picking up the pieces was hilarious), make no mistake that his performance was as crucial.
3rd (three points) – Neal Maupay
He’s been inspired since returning to Brentford. Every game sees Neal getting better and better.
This one was all about his ability as a playmaker. As a creator. As the man working in tandem with Ivan Toney to selflessly create the chances for his team mate.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall for whatever was being discussed between the two during out first free-kick awarded just outside the Liverpool penalty box.
The Gtech would have erupted had it culminated in any sort of ‘adjustment’ to Michael Oliver’s foam. Instead, we had to be content with Neal doing his level best to provide the assist for the Bees – and almost pulling it off. Certainly, he looked our most dangerous in that final third.
4th (two points) – Vitaly Janelt
He was everywhere. There was dispute in our supporter group as to how well Vitaly played but personally speaking, in a game of fine margins between so many of the players, I thought he stood out.
Solid in the challenge. As crucial to the team in those defensive duties, where we noted earlier his tackle count, as he was in looking to take the ball forward.
He’s one of those players who rarely grabs the headlines but – and this is particularly noticeable against the more formidable opponents – Vitaly remains somebody we absolutely rely upon. Saturday showed that again.
5th (one point) – Kris Ajer
In a game where Brentford shipped four goals it may seem odd to name a second defender and our goalkeeper in the Bees’ top five.
Being honest, few amongst us probably expected Kris to start this one. I know I didn’t. Yet with Ethan absent the defence reshuffled and he gave a solid account of himself on the right side of that backline.
Depending on the length of Ethan’s injury, we’ll likely be seeing more of Kris in the coming weeks. If nothing else, perhaps shifting him further out wide. With the small matter of a trip to Manchester City on Tuesday, he could be crucial.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 24)
All of which means there are changes in the table. Namely in fifth place where both Neal Maupay and Mark Flekken join Nathan Collins on 21 points. With a few other players bubbling just under, there’s all to play for at Manchester City..
1st – Ethan Pinnock (37 points)
2nd – Bryan Mbeumo (35 points)
3rd – Christian Norgaard (31 points)
4th – Mathias Jensen (27 points)
T5th – Nathan Collins, Neal Maupay, Mark Flekken (21 points)
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