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Mohamed Salah scored and assisted off the bench on his return from harm in a 4-1 win at Brentford to briefly ship Liverpool 5 factors clear on the high of the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s aspect suffered a double harm blow.
Darwin Nunez’s chip completed off a devastating counter for Liverpool’s opener late within the first half however they did, nevertheless, lose Diogo Jota, stretchered off, and Curtis Jones to harm both aspect of the aim.
Salah changed Jota and located his ft after the break, organising Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool’s second earlier than including their third because the leaders took cost of the second half. Ivan Toney obtained one again for Brentford however an error from Nathan Collins handed Cody Gakpo Liverpool’s fourth to finish the sport.
Liverpool will nervously wait to study the extent of these accidents forward of subsequent Sunday’s Carabao Cup ultimate in opposition to Chelsea at Wembley, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alisson already on the harm listing. In addition they face Luton on Wednesday within the league.
How Liverpool overcame Brentford
The onus was on Liverpool to come back out of the traps in west London to maintain up the tempo on the high of the Premier League, nevertheless it was Brentford that had the early operating. Vitaly Janelt dragged extensive early earlier than Ivan Toney spurned just a few good probabilities.
Liverpool have been menacing regardless of being second finest and maybe would have taken the lead had Mark Flekken not stored out Conor Bradley and Jota with a effective double save. Brentford have been unperturbed and stored pushing, however got here to rue their wastefulness.
Liverpool’s prolific frontline delivered once more as Jota’s perfectly-weighted header despatched Nunez by on aim after Virgil van Dijk hoofed clear and the Uruguay ahead punished Brentford for committing too many our bodies ahead with a pleasant chipped end.
The opener was bookended by accidents to Jones and Jota, nevertheless, with the Portugal worldwide taken off on a stretcher, including to Liverpool’s rising harm listing only a week out from their Carabao Cup ultimate in opposition to Chelsea at Wembley.
Salah, the alternative for Jota, appeared primed to double Liverpool’s lead in first-half stoppage time following a surging break by Luis Diaz till a deflection noticed the ball ricochet off his foot within the field. Maybe some rust in his first recreation after practically a month out.
Nunez was changed at half-time by Cody Gakpo, nevertheless it was unclear if this was on account of an harm or just a precaution. There was then a scare for Toney, who fell awkwardly on his knee, though the Brentford striker was in a position to run it off.
There have been extra indicators of rust for Salah as he fired extensive when by on aim after Van Dijk’s headed clearance. His first contact was elegant, however his second let him down as he obtained his end all flawed. The Egyptian would greater than make up for it, nevertheless.
His precision move sliced by Brentford to select Mac Allister within the field, who nutmegged Collins earlier than doubling Liverpool’s lead on 55 minutes. It wasn’t earlier than too lengthy that Salah wrestled his well past Collins to seemingly put the sport to mattress.
Brentford responded with a aim from Toney on the rebound, his first in opposition to Liverpool, after a elegant cease from Caoimhin Kelleher to maintain out Sergio Reguilon’s shot. However Collins, as soon as once more, was at fault as he missed the ball to permit Gakpo to attain Liverpool’s fourth.
What’s subsequent?
Brentford have two Premier League video games in fast succession. On Tuesday, they journey to Manchester Metropolis; kick-off 7.30pm. On Monday February 26, Brentford will journey to West Ham on Monday Evening Soccer, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 8pm.
Liverpool additionally play one other Premier League recreation in midweek, internet hosting Luton on Wednesday; kick-off 7.30pm. They’ll then play within the Carabao Cup ultimate on Sunday February 25, taking up Chelsea at Wembley, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 3pm.
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