Brentford

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

Image source, Getty Images

"I am always happy when the window is shut," said Brentford boss Thomas Frank as he again answered questions about Ivan Toney's future following his side's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.

For the second successive week, England forward Toney did not feature as speculation continues about his future.

Will he be available for next Saturday's home game with Southampton?

"He trained all week and he trained well," added Frank.

Whatever happens to Toney, Brentford remain highly competitive at this level.

This was their ninth straight defeat at Anfield but it was not until Mohamed Salah scored in the 70th-minute that Liverpool could relax.

In Bryan Mbeumo they have a forward who is prepared to put in the hard yards, while Keane Lewis-Potter impressed without reward at Anfield.

There is much to be optimistic about for Brentford this season. Whether Toney is park of their plans remains to be seen.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat to Liverpool: "A game of two halves. We were very good in the first half. I thought it was very even, in the stats and everything. They scored the goal from our mistake which is a situation where you either take the ball or the man, then we also needed to defend the two on two situation better.

"We had a great chance with Christian Norgaard - a free header - and another chance. Our pressing and our overall build-up was good. So it was an even game, maybe our best first half here at Anfield.

"In the second half, Liverpool went up a notch. We still had a good chance through Nathan Collins at 1-0. So we had the chances, but we did not create enough today. In the end, Liverpool win fair and square."

On lessons to learn ahead of three difficult away games: "The first half [we can take into the next games], then [it is about whether] we can take it and build it 60 minutes, then 70 minutes, and so on into a game.

"We just know that Liverpool are a good team. For me Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are the three that are a little bit ahead of everyone else - some of the best teams in Europe.

"We hoped for more. We came here to try and win, but we couldn't do it."

On if his side is missing a main striker: "No. When we beat Liverpool at home a few years ago, we played with [Yoane] Wissa and Bryan [Mbeumo] up front. So, no."

On his current squad: "I think I've got a good squad. We have done some good business, I must admit. There is nothing big I need or want."

On whether Ivan Toney will stay at the club beyond the transfer deadline: "Maybe, I don't know."

Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken has been speaking to Sky Sports following the loss: "It was a tough game. I think we did well in the first half. We had to find our way in the first 15 minutes, but we found our rhythm and then we should have done better on the transition when we conceded.

"It seemed like they stepped their game up in the second half and, from their second goal, it was like a finished game.

"With their offensive forwards, they have you know it is a tough match every time you come here. You prepare yourself to stop as much as possible. I saved some, but I didn't save enough, and we lost the game.

"There are a lot of positive things. We had some good moments with the ball, maybe we should do better at finding that link up to our forwards. That is something to analyse. We have a game on Wednesday so we have a chance to win that."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford have lost all four of their Premier League games at Anfield by an aggregate score of 9-0. Only Birmingham City have played at a particular venue more in the competition without scoring (seven games at Old Trafford).

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