Liverpool’s chances of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League have been given a significant boost following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford. The Reds knew that they needed to secure all three points if they wanted to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive. Brentford have also been on a quest for European football this season, but their form since mid-March has hindered their progress. Liverpool took the lead after just 13 minutes when Mohamed Salah met Virgil van Dijk’s headed pass at the back post and bundled it into the net. This was Salah’s 100th goal at Anfield, and he is now the first player in Liverpool history to score in nine consecutive home games.
Brentford continued to threaten throughout the remainder of the match, but Liverpool worked hard to hold on to their lead. The victory sees the Reds remain in fifth place in the Premier League table with three matches left to play. They are one point behind rivals Manchester United, but the Red Devils’ two games in hand give them an advantage. However, considering Liverpool were sitting in mid-table earlier in the campaign, a top-seven finish would still be an achievement.
Should the standings stay the same, Liverpool will return to the Europa League for the first time since 2016 when they finished runners-up to Sevilla. It would also spell the end of six consecutive seasons in the Champions League, having reached the round of 16 this term. Salah’s goal has also seen him hit another milestone at Liverpool.