Liverpool lost 2-3 to Brentford: their fourth consecutive defeat.
Losing 2-3 at Brentford, Liverpool extended their losing streak to 4 (longest since February 2021), conceded 2+ goals the most since the beginning of May (9); fell to sixth, risking being 7 points behind Arsenal.
Liverpool fell 2-3 to Brentford in West London, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League. This is The Reds' longest losing streak since February 2021 and also equals the number of defeats (4) for the entire 2024-25 season after only 9 rounds. The reigning champions dropped to sixth place, with the risk of being 7 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Match developments: Throw-in unlocks the game, VAR decides the outcome.
First half: Brentford capitalize on throw-ins, Liverpool denied a penalty.
Showing signs of fatigue after their midweek Champions League away trip to Frankfurt, Liverpool were quickly pushed into a chasing position. Brentford, who are among the most effective at utilizing throw-ins in the league, opened the scoring from one such opportunity, with Dango Ouattara finishing off a throw-in.
The tension escalated just before halftime. Just a minute after Cody Gakpo was denied a controversial penalty, Kevin Schade doubled the home side's lead with a perfect counter-attack. In the final minute of the half, a rare bright spot for The Reds appeared: Milos Kerkez scored his first goal for the club, reducing the deficit to 1-2 and extending Liverpool's Premier League scoring streak to 43 games.
Second half: individual fouls and VAR allow Brentford to extend their lead.
After the break, Liverpool's defense continued to falter. Virgil van Dijk committed a foul in the penalty area, and after VAR intervention, Igor Thiago correctly converted the penalty to make it 3-1. Late efforts were only enough for Mohamed Salah to score in the 89th minute, ending the match with a 2-3 scoreline.
Tactical analysis: defensive vulnerabilities and crucial moments.
Two contrasting images exposed the reality of Liverpool: the attack maintained its scoring prowess, but the defense became a fatal weakness. The goal conceded from a throw-in showed a lack of concentration in set pieces, while Brentford's counter-attack highlighted problems in transitioning defensively. In the second half, a personal foul leading to a penalty—confirmed by VAR—made any attempt to turn the tide even more impossible.
Notably, this was the sixth consecutive match in all competitions where Liverpool were trailing. Since the beginning of May, they have also been the team to concede two or more goals in the most Premier League matches (9). These figures reinforce the view that The Reds' defensive structure currently lacks stability and the ability to control crucial moments.
Key statistics
| Index | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Brentford 3-2 Liverpool | Premier League, Brentford Stadium |
| Losing streak in the Premier League | 4 | Longest duration since February 2021 |
| The match ended with the team trailing repeatedly. | 6 | Considering all competitions |
| Conceding 2 or more goals | 9 matches | Since the beginning of May in the Premier League |
| Premier League scoring streak | 43 matches | Extended thanks to a goal from Milos Kerkez. |
| VAR | Penalty awarded to Brentford. | Igor Thiago increased the score to 3-1 from the penalty spot. |
| Mohamed Salah's goal | 89th minute | First goal from open play this season. |
Impact on the Premier League race
This defeat pushes Liverpool down to sixth place, making the title defense race even more precarious. The gap with league leaders Arsenal could widen to seven points—an unfavorable scenario with only nine rounds of the season played, but one that demands The Reds quickly strengthen their defense.
Just months after their title-winning season, Liverpool have equaled the total number of defeats from the previous season. The string of events, from throw-ins and counter-attacks to penalties, shows the problem isn't a lack of goalscoring ability, but rather a decline in their defensive control. To get back on track, they need to end their habit of falling behind and restore the defensive discipline that was the foundation of their championship win last season.
