Liverpool lost 2-3 to Brentford: fourth consecutive defeat
Losing 2-3 at Brentford, Liverpool extended their losing streak to 4 (longest since February 2021), conceding 2+ goals the most since the beginning of May (9); falling to sixth, at risk of 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 at the same time they have lost the entire 2024-25 season (4) after just 9 rounds. The defending champions have dropped to sixth place, with the risk of being 7 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Development: throw-in unlocks the match, VAR decides the situation
First half: Brentford takes advantage of throw-in, Liverpool is denied penalty
With signs of fatigue from their midweek Champions League trip to Frankfurt, Liverpool were soon caught in the chase. Brentford, the league's most effective throw-in team, opened the scoring from one such situation, with Dango Ouattara finishing.
The climax came just before half-time. Just a minute after Cody Gakpo was denied a controversial penalty, Kevin Schade doubled the home side's lead with a brilliant counter-attack. In the final minute of the half, the Reds had a rare bright spot: Milos Kerkez scored his first goal for the club, reducing the score to 1-2 and extending Liverpool's Premier League scoring streak to 43 games.
Second half: individual errors and VAR, Brentford widen the gap
After the break, Liverpool's defense continued to fumble. Virgil van Dijk fouled in the box and after VAR intervened, Igor Thiago accurately 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 score of 2-3.
Tactical analysis: defensive weaknesses and key moments
The contrasting images reveal the reality of Liverpool: the offense continues to score, but the defense has become a fatal weakness. The throw-in goal revealed a lack of concentration at set pieces, while Brentford’s counter-attack highlighted a problem with defensive transitions. In the second half, an individual error led to a penalty—confirmed by VAR—making any comeback even more unlikely.
Notably, this was the sixth consecutive match in all competitions that Liverpool have been behind. Since the start of May, they have also conceded two or more goals in more Premier League games (9). These numbers reinforce the view that the Reds' defensive structure currently lacks stability and the ability to control key moments.
Important statistics
| Index | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Brentford 3-2 Liverpool | Premier League, Brentford Stadium |
| Losing streak in Premier League | 4 | Longest from 2/2021 |
| Consecutive losing matches | 6 | Count on all arenas |
| Conceding ≥2 goals | 9 matches | Since the beginning of May in the Premier League |
| Premier League scoring streak | 43 matches | Extended by Milos Kerkez's goal |
| VAR | Penalty for Brentford | Igor Thiago increased the score to 3-1 from the 11m mark |
| Mohamed Salah's goal | Minute 89 | First goal from live ball this season |
Impact on the Premier League race
The defeat leaves Liverpool in sixth place, leaving the title race in doubt. The gap to leaders Arsenal could widen to seven points—an unfavourable scenario with only nine games left in the season, but one that requires the Reds to quickly bolster their defence.
Just months after their title triumph, Liverpool have already equalled their total defeats from last season. The data from throw-ins, counter-attacks and penalties suggests the problem is not a lack of goalscoring but a decline in risk management. To get back on track, they need to stop falling behind and restore the defensive discipline that was the foundation of last season’s title triumph.
