Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Brentford as Van Dijk and Kerkez struggle

1 week ago 9

Liverpool lost 3-2 against Brentford on Saturday as the Reds' losing run in the Premier League stretches to four games.

Supporters had been worried beforehand that the Bees' proficiency from set-pieces and counter-attacks would be Liverpool's undoing at Gtech Community Stadium, and that's exactly what transpired as the physical Brentford made it impossible for the Reds to play at their best.

Goals from Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago ensured Brentford took all three points, while Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah scored for Liverpool despite putting in underwhelming performances. Here's how we rated the players in West London.

Winners

Definitely Arsenal, who could move seven points clear of Liverpool on Sunday, while even Manchester City must be licking its lips at the sight of another defeat for Arne Slot's side. Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch's impact was underlined again with a timid display in the midfielder's absence.

Losers

Slot simply cannot find a way to get this Liverpool team to perform like last season, or deal with the new direct approach it is now facing on a weekly basis. There were also several disappointing performances at the Gtech, including Giorgi Mamardashvili and Virgil van Dijk.

Player ratings

Giorgi Mamardashvili (5). Looked shaky with his feet and allowed Schade to simply roll the ball into the goal for Brentford's second goal. However, he pulled off two great saves to deny Mikkel Damsgaard either side of half-time.

Conor Bradley (6). Provided the assist for Kerkez's goal and produced repeated runs down the Liverpool right flank. But like most in green, Bradley didn't look convincing from a defensive standpoint.

Ibrahima Konate (6). Probably Liverpool's best defender against Brentford but was caught flat-footed for the Bees' second goal.

Virgil van Dijk (4). Had a few difficult moments up against the robust Igor Thiago and wasn't at his best. The decision to shove Outarra and concede a penalty was brainless, a week on from his disappointing against Manchester United.

Milos Kerkez (4). Booked for a foul on Ouattara in the 34th minute on another uncomfortable showing from the left-back. The left-back did grab his first Liverpool goal when he tapped in at the back post in controversial circumstances at the end of the first half.

Curtis Jones (6). Composed on the ball and the heart of Liverpool's best spells in possession

Dominik Szoboszlai (6). Provided plenty of energy but not a huge amount of quality in possession.

Mohamed Salah (5). This was another game that underlined how far Salah's standards have dropped this season as the winger had little impact on the game. He slipped on the ball when one-on-one in the early stages and fired over with a poor effort in the 83rd minute. And then Salah underlined the quality that is still inside him, waiting to be unlocked, when he produce a majestic touch and finish to get Liverpool back into the match late on.

Florian Wirtz (5). Should have netted after 20 minutes, but the German flashed his shot wide inside the box. Wirtz popped up all over the pitch and often collected the ball in deep areas.

Cody Gakpo (6). Carried a real threat cutting inside on his right foot. He fired a shot just over in the first half and saw a cross flicked just off target by Hugo Ekitike.

Hugo Ekitike (4). Had a quiet match following his impressive showing in midweek. Other than a scruffy header that flew over the bar and an effort from deep, the striker offered little in terms of a goal threat.