Brentford – Liverpool: Bees Sting Liverpool With Set-Pieces And Counterattacks (3-1)

In the second half of 2022, Liverpool endured one of their worst starts to a season in Jürgen Klopp's tenure, so they would have been keen to turn things around after the World Cup break. They did win their first two league matches after it, but some cause for concern remained in their performances. Those issues were laid bare by a brilliant Brentford side, who have lost just once against big six opposition in the league this season having played all of them once.

Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat.

When Brentford were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history last season, many expected them to go right back down or at least play a significant part in the relegation battle. Instead, they finished a comfortable thirteenth, eleven points clear of the relegation zone. Thomas Frank’s side carried that momentum into this season as they went into this fixture way up in a top-half position, just five points behind their opponents.

As good as Brentford have been, that also means Liverpool’s season has not quite gone to plan so far. After mounting a real title charge and missing out by just a point last season, they started the new season terribly by winning just two of their first eight league matches. Results have improved since but some issues have remained, as was evident in their latest win over Leicester City.

Brentford lined up in their favoured 3-5-2 formation, with David Raya in . . .