Liverpool's most recent premier league outing came on Saturday afternoon in West London. Brentford come into the game unbeaten in the league, having already claimed the scalps of Chelsea and Spurs at the G-tech this season.
This game served as the first time Liverpool have been below Brentford in the league when they have played since 1938, which is as good a representation as any of the place in which the two clubs find themselves.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak returned from injury and looked to make an impact, and Wirtz and Barcola would have been hoping to build on their midweek masterclass in Austria. So how did things play out?
For the majority of the first half, Liverpool looked in the main uninspired, struggling to make chances and squandering the few opportunities they did create. Despite looking solid defensively, the Reds conceded a late first-half goal from fullback Keane Lewis-Potter mere minutes after a penalty appeal was overturned by VAR at the other end of the pitch. A red card for a headbutt on Jacquet in first half stoppage time changed the complexion of the game, and although Liverpool had a lot of work to do to come from behind at a place which has become a fortress for the Bees in the preceding weeks, they were now in a good position to push on and try for at least 1 point.
The second half started out much the same as the first, but liverpool soon grew into the game and began firing on at least more - if not all - cylinders. This progress was momentarily halted as Jeremie Frimpong, and then Dominik Szoboszlai, were forced off through injury, and at the time I couldnt help but think the decision to replace Frimpong with Rio Ngumoha was an interesting one - but my apprehension was soon eased.
With a new shape and five forwards on the pitch, space began to open up. The first goal was created by a great through ball from wirtz, then a fantastic chop inside and far post finish from munoz for the equaliser. Munoz is looking like an astute signing, and seems to make an impact every time he gets on the ball, passing players with ease and looking like a real threat.
The sustained pressure against the 10 men of brentford then paid off when Barcola nodded the ball down for Isak to outmuscle Ajer and slide the ball into the far corner from the edge of the 6-yard box to continue his scoring start to the new season. He looks a different man to the one who stopped and started throughout the last campaign, and hopefully he can continue this form and really develop into the player that Liverpool paid so much money for.
The reds looked reasonably in control after taking the lead, and aside for a few nervy moments looked compact, defended well, and kept possession well to quell any late fightback from Brentford. Towards the end of the game, the Reds broke and Barcola was wasteful to miss a chance that would've sealed the victory, one of several missed chances that a player of his quality should be scoring - but nothing to be too worried about, as he is still settling in and I have no doubt that first premier league goal is right around the corner.
In the dying moments, a great run from rio drew a second yellow for vitaly janelt to take brentford down to 9 and effectively ended any chance of any late drama. I have to note that despite plenty of positives, I was slightly at a loss as to how liverpool allowed the 9 men of brentford to have 2 big chances to cross the ball in stoppage time rather than keeping possession and running down the clock.
For me, there were a few standout players, although maybe not one that was head and shoulders above the rest. The centre backs played well, wirtz looked a lot sharper and more confident, munoz drove through players on multiple occasions and is a willing runner, and Isak wasn't too involved in the game but took his chance when called upon. I also have to mention Trey Nyoni, who came on for Szoboszlai and looked cool and confident on and off the ball. I had noted him as a player to watch this season with the departure of Curtis Jones, and he is proving with every game why he deserves to be in and around the first team squad.
Overall, Yarmoluk's first half red card cost Brentford the game. Against 11, Liverpool looked predictable and at times slightly vulnerable, but once they had the man advantage they took their chances and played well. So, it's a solid performance but only because they took home all three points. if they hadn't, I feel the outlook on this performance would be much different; and there's still plenty to work on in the run up to playing in-form Brighton on Sunday afternoon.