A first defeat of the season for Brentford saw Liverpool join the clutch of teams at the top of the table with two wins from two. Arne Slot’s team very much at their Sunday best as The Bees eventually went down 2-0.
We say eventually as despite taking the lead through Luis Díaz with less than a quarter hour played, the home team were unable to convert possession and dominance into further goals. Instead, the Bees clawed their way back into the game and had chances of their own to level up.
Christian Norgaard in the first half and Nathan Collins in the second coming closest. The later requiring smart work from Alison in nets to maintain the home team’s slender lead.
The decisive strike by Mo Salah on 70 minutes, coming almost immediately off the back of Bryan Mbeumo being floored in the other box by Andy Robertson. A stonewall penalty denied only by the most marginal of offside decisions.
Instead of looking down the barrel of 1-1, the home side retrieved the ball, built the play and took things down the other end. Díaz bisecting the Brentford back line to releases Salah. Mark Flekken, who had a superb game, powerless to resist.
This, much like the opener. The Bees seeing their corner in front of the Kop cleared and defence turned into the ultimate form of attack. One, two, three, four touches and the ball was in the back of the net. The speed of the build-up play terrifying. Mads Roerslev and Bryan unable to intercede as that final ball was played through to Diaz. Flekken getting a hand to the ball but beaten by pace, power and precision.
In truth, Liverpool were the better team. The foundations laid by Jurgen Klopp maintained and built on. They were first to most things and had a staggering 90% pass completion rate. Quicker in every aspect and able to reset to defensive mode with frightening speed whenever the Bees had the ball. Players looking to close Brentford down immediately. Chances created with impunity and the Bees’ backline needing to be at the absolute top of their game to keep things even.
It’s only the trips to Anfield and the Ethiad that really cause one to think about how hard it is to win away from home in this league. Putting the history to one side, it’s simply the depth and quality of established talent (rather than bloated squads of expensive misfits) running out in front of huge home support.
Any other away game I genuinely fancy the Bees to pull something out of the bag. Even Manchester City have come undone in front of their support, as we remember with much fondness.
On another day, this one might have ended differently for the Bees. The chances were there but, ultimately, form and quality told. This was one of those ‘nothing to lose’ fixtures. Every outsider expecting a home win and, whilst they were ultimately correct, it might have been different. Next season, Arne. Next season…
Until then, our game by game review of Brentford’s ‘top five’ performers. Five points for star player, four for second place, three for third etc with the totals added up game-by-game to find an overall winner.
2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 2 (vs Liverpool)
1st (Star player: 5 points) – Nathan Collins
That’s 10 out of 10 for Nathan so far. His star player award against Crystal Palace followed up by another in game two.
Honestly, he was magnificent at Anfield. He came the closest to scoring for Brentford with that second-half effort but it was his defensive work that really kept us in the game. Picking up where he left off last week. Second half blocks from Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz in particular, preserving the slender deficit and keeping hopes alive.
These were only the icing on the cake though. He was everywhere and through everybody when he needed to be. A behemoth of a performance.
2nd (4 points) – Mark Flekken
When the backline was beaten, here was Mark to keep us in the game. He had no hope with either goal – beaten by the sheer pace and talent of a team packed full of internationals breaking with speed.
Quick off his line when needed and confident when distributing (most of the build-up play starting through him and Nathan). One stunning save from Díaz, diving low to his left, deserving of all the praise that can be lavished on him. Likewise, a pair from Andy Robertson. The first half effort seeing a smart stop at the near post whilst that in the second had the keeper putting everything behind the ball to keep it out.
We all saw Mark settle into the team over time last season. This time around – and he was very unlucky to miss out on the top five last week – he has hit the ground running.
3rd (3 points) – Kris Ajer
Like Mark, Kris ran the fifth spot against Palace very close. Perhaps only our dominance in attack keeping the pair of them out. This time around, there’s no doubting his deserved presence.
Once again slotting in on the left of the defence, Kris set his stall out in the opening minute when he took off on a mazy box-to-box run down the touchline. It was a move that suggested Brentford weren’t just here to make up the numbers.
When Liverpool were attacking, there was precious little joy found through his flank – despite the obvious attempt to target – as he didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon. Mo Salah getting few opportunities as Kris kept him quiet and the goals only coming via those turbo charged breaks through the middle.
Well played Kris. For a player we have only been only used to seeing on the right, he has settled in to the cover role on the opposite side with a confidence that has perhaps surprised more than a few of us.
4th (2 points) – Keane-Lewis Potter
When the team was named, it was assumed we’d be playing three centre backs with KLP in the role he filled on more than a few occasions last season.
Instead, he played in a much more forward position. More left wing than left wing back and took the opportunity that presented itself. Whilst the irrepressible waves of Liverpool talent meant fewer chances than normal to build the play, KLP put his all in to it. Not just feeding the supply lines but also having his own chances .
Even managed to put a defensive foot or two in as everyone was thrown behind the ball to stop the marauding red waves from crashing down on the final third. His substitution for Fabio Carvalho on the hour was expected but did enough in those sixty minutes to show Thomas Frank that we have plenty of options.
5th (1 point) – Christian Norgaard
Last week there were a few names in the fray. This time around, those that stood out for Brentford were much clearer. Christian is the last of that group.
He’ll be disappointed that he wasn’t able to steer the first-half header home but that’s football. Instead, it was his role in the middle that was absolutely crucial on an afternoon when the hosts had almost two-thirds possession.
Christian was there time and again, doing what he does. Breaking up play then looking to turn it around. He topped the tackle count (with almost half the team’s entire total) and acted as the central pivot.
Ran the gauntlet of a first half yellow card for the entire game as though the ultimate sanction wasn’t even a fleeting thought – something we have seen him do so often before that it is almost taken for granted – at a place like Anfield against a team like Liverpool, that’s no mean feat.
2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Overall (after Matchweek 2)
All of which means we have a clear leader after two games. Nathan Collins tops the pile with a maximum score of 10. Bryan and Mark are joint 2nd with Mathias and Kris joint fourth. Next up at home to Southampton will only see things start to take more shape
1st – Nathan Collins (10 points)
T2nd – Bryan Mbeumo, Mark Flekken (4 points)
T4th – Mathias Jensen, Kris Ajer (3 points)
