On May 6, 2023, Liverpool secured a 1-0 win against Brentford at Anfield in the Premier League. The only goal of the game was scored by Mohamed Salah in the 13th minute.
Alisson was furious after Bryan Mbeumo’s disallowed goal – despite it being chalked off for offside – as it would have denied him his first back-to-back clean sheets since the start of March. The Brazilian was comfortable between the sticks, shaking off a nasty blow following a collision with Ivan Toney and was booked for time-wasting.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was named Man of the Match for his impressive display. He drifted around the pitch, not only following the ball but demanding it at every opportunity, always scanning for the next pass and even testing the goalkeeper. There was a beautiful ball over for Darwin Nunez which the striker wasted, and though he was also guilty of overplaying to gift Brentford a chance, Alexander-Arnold played a vital role in dealing with second balls from set-pieces.
Ibrahima Konate coped well with the tussle with his countryman Mbeumo, compensating for Alexander-Arnold’s forays into midfield as both centre-back and right-back. His partnership with Virgil van Dijk looks to be blooming again, even if there were a handful of shanked clearances and shaky moments. Van Dijk enjoyed his battles up against a game Brentford attack, though he is still not his all-powerful self. Nevertheless, the Dutchman was dominant in the air defensively – making more clearances (nine) than any other player – and assisted Salah’s goal.
Andy Robertson looked to be growing more comfortable in his tweaked role, offering less going forward by curbing his attacking tendencies when required as third centre-back. However, there were still a number of fine deliveries from the left and he linked up brilliantly with Diogo Jota when possible. Fabinho was cushioned in this new 3-4-3 system, looking closer to his best in recent weeks with a largely comfortable display at the base of the midfield. He was booked early on but coped well with the added risk and was sharp in the challenge and much sharper on the ball.
Cody Gakpo was deployed in an unnatural midfield role, which showed the extent of Jurgen Klopp’s faith in him just months after joining. He looked like he relished it, too, with the Dutchman heavily involved on and off the ball and given the space to take possession, resist the press, turn and kick off attacks. Curtis Jones enjoyed eight consecutive starts – the longest run he has ever enjoyed in the Liverpool side – and has deservedly kept his place. The confidence is clearly coursing, allowing him to express himself on the ball and driving him on to win it back when it’s lost.
Salah scored his 100th Anfield goal and is now level with Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s fifth-highest goalscorer of all time. He was busy, dangerous and clinical when the chance presented itself, and made his presence felt off the ball too. Jota split duties with Nunez as left winger and centre-forward, as the bustling, harrying presence to complement the Uruguayan’s rambunctious, direct approach. His persistence crafted a few openings, while he played an important role in counter-pressing.
Substitutes Luis Diaz, Jordan Henderson and James Milner all made appearances while Kostas Tsimikas settled in well into the left-sided role.
Jurgen Klopp has now overseen six wins in a row and eight unbeaten games, with his smile back and the side thriving with his new-look system. Liverpool have needed to win ugly in recent games but that comes in a ridiculously busy schedule of games in the run-in – few will be complaining. Klopp managed his squad well with the fitness of Jota, Diaz and Jones considered, and an eight-day break between fixtures now awaits to recuperate and plan for the final assault.