Liverpool

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans:

George: Thomas Frank talked about finally being able to go toe-to-toe with a top-side after the draw against City - you can't say we didn't do that again. The final four minutes will have absolutely crushed the team's spirit. I hope the fans and staff are able to build it back up again quickly - playing like that versus any other team in the league would have given us three points.

Uzzi: About as cruel an ending you could expect. Played so well against an excellent side, had some good openings but the penny just didn't drop. Always felt one goal would settle it, unfortunately it wasn't for us.

Will: We held on and held on and held on but could not get over the line. We did admirably having played City just four days ago. Can't help but wonder if perhaps a couple more subs were needed (Mee for Mads? Rico for KLP? Carvalho for Wissa?). We could have maybe put more fresh legs on and had a better chance. A good game with a disappointing result but we go again… COYB!

Ben: Could clearly see the tiredness from an amazing game on Tuesday took its toll. But still so proud of another strong performance against a top side. Even with key players missing we still manage to be competitive. Credit to the manager, coaching team and the players. Keane Lewis-Potter (a winger) playing at full-back and keeping Salah quiet the entire game has to be one of the defensive performances of the season.

Liverpool fans:

Rob: Nunez man of the hour, could not be happier for him. Szobo was also excellent, as were the back four. Credit to Brentford - they defended very well, often getting the better of our starting front three.

Sean: What a surprise end to that game! Nunez is certainly a workhorse but he needs to keep that end product coming else he'll be gone soon. The fact that Alisson and Trent were by far the stand out players is quite a concern. Midfield seemed baffled by the low block. Salah was hardly noticeable (hasn't been for a few games now), while Diaz and Gakpo hold on for too long. Chiesa and Jota need to be starting games. Bench Salah.

George: Great energy and intensity with lots of possession. Needed to be more clinical in the last third. Seem to struggle to find a way through teams with a low block. Mo seemed very quiet, not making so many telling runs into the box. I thought Trent played well. We need to work on set pieces as we had so many corners and never looked like capitalising. Substitutions worked well. We deserved the win but it could easily have got away from us.

Yusuf: A solid display and one that was much needed after the past few matches. Credit to Nunez - won us the game and has eliminated all questions over his confidence. Something to note though - all players celebrated after the final whistle and went over to the fans but Mohamed Salah. Has transfer speculation affected him over the past few games?

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The title race is not over but Liverpool's determination in the final minutes of the game against Brentford will help them to continue their hunt for silverware.

That's the view of former Premier League striker Glenn Murray, who has heaped praise on manager Arne Slot during a weekend where his side moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand on their closest rivals.

"There is real belief in the squad that they are going to win and win the title," said former Premier League striker Glenn Murray on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "Slot has got a wonderful balance to this side and he is getting more out of certain players than Jurgen Klopp would have done.

"What he has done in such a short space of time is remarkable, plus he has managed the contract situations [of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold] perfectly because that could easily disrupt a dressing room.

"I think Liverpool will go on to win the title but there will be a blip along the road, so it's not a case of the race being done and dusted."

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Andy Stevenson
Final Score reporter

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It was very interesting watching the Liverpool technical area on Saturday.

Just as Arne Slot has imposed a different style on this Liverpool team when compared to Jurgen Klopp's approach, so to does he cut a completely different kind of figure on the touchline.

There were very occasional flashes of frustration and even anger from Slot, but in general his demeanour is calm, his instructions to staff and players methodical and composed. Klopp would have been leaping around, gesturing and yelling watching his team fail to score despite 30-odd shots, but Slot looked like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

This isn't meant as praise or criticism of either manager. Merely an observation that Liverpool's steadier, more patient build-up appears to be a reflection of the personality of their (relatively) new boss.

Watch highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 0-2 Liverpool

• Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot told BBC Sport after today's win: "During the season you're hoping for these moments. Many moments - we could have scored a late winner against United, Forest, Fulham. Today it worked. We managed to score in the last few seconds.

"We were close to not getting what we deserved. The amount of chances we created was like on Tuesday against Forest - a lot. We were close to going off without a win. That combined with a late winner is what we were most happy about. And it was a significant game."

On Darwin Nunez: "He's always having a lot of impact when he comes in. Brings energy and power. Most of our games are the last half hour in control around 18 yards, and that's where he's at his best. The first hour is often open but the last 30 minutes dominant. Then to have someone like Darwin is nice to have.

"I don't only look at results. We created a lot. But now it's a win so I don't have to say look at our performance. I was very pleased with our performance. Brentford made it a fight. They have good players and a good game plan. It was a nice game to watch like every time Liverpool are on the pitch."

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Since his first Premier League campaign in 2022-23, only Jhon Duran (eight) has scored more goals as a substitute than Liverpool's Darwin Nunez (seven), while he has more goal involvements as a substitute than any other player (11).

Liverpool's 37 shots against Brentford is their joint-most in a Premier League game on record (since 2003-04), also doing so against Everton in April 2016. The Reds failed to score with any of their first 35 shots in today's game, before netting with their final two through Darwin Nunez.

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told BBC Sport after today's victory: "It was a lot of hard work. Brentford away is a difficult place to come. The way they press high, eventally going to a low block and the quality they have on the break. We did well. We kept working, kept trying. Eventually Darwin made a difference with the two goals.

"We've experienced it two games in a row - especially the second half against Forest. It's also quality from Brentford that they want you to try to force it a bit because they'll get you on the break. We did well and limited them.

"Darwin since the day he came in he brings a lot of energy. As a striker you're judged by your goals. Maybe it's tougher than ever. He's working hard and learning. Today he had a massive part of the victory. It was well deserved.

"Today was a small piece of the puzzle. We have to keep going."

On Darwin Nunez's double: "You have to earn these things. As a striker you get judged on goals especially at a club like Liverpool. Today he put his mark on the game. Very important. We need everyone at their best. Today was his day."

Were they at their best? "I think so, yeah. Don't you think so?"

"They have a very clear structure. You try to break a low block down and if you lose the ball sometimes you can get a counter-attack on you. They create some danger moments. They create them against any team in the league. We handled it well and could have scored more.

"There is no walk in the park. Every game, teams are very good. They want to play their best game against us like we want to play our best game against them.

"If nobody is ready for a bumpy ride then this season will definitely be one."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

There are five Premier League fixtures on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action.

• Newcastle v Bournemouth (12:30)

• Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester v Fulham

• West Ham v Crystal Palace

• Arsenal v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I thought Liverpool were really unlucky not to beat Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. They played well had enough chances to win, but Forest keeper Matz Sels made some excellent saves.

Now, with Arsenal winning on Wednesday, this game has become massive for Liverpool. If they don't win it, people are going to really question them.

Arne Slot's side have drawn their past two league games, and lost to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

So, since the turn of they year they have only won one game in four - the home FA Cup tie against Accrington.

It is something of a mini-blip for them, and they need to get back on track. But they are still where they want to be - four points clear at the top of the Premier League and with a game in hand on the teams below them.

This is going to be another tough game for the leaders, though.

People might see Brentford's late comeback against Manchester City as justification for them resting players in their FA Cup home defeat by Plymouth.

I disagree with that, but the Bees have shown this season that they never lie down and I can see them scoring and keeping this close.

Unlike City, though, I believe Liverpool will find a way of getting over the line.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA Media

Liverpool have seen their Premier League lead reduced to four points by Arsenal and, while Reds boss Arne Slot wasn't showing any signs of being ruffled when he spoke to the media on Friday, he did highlight an aspect of his side's play he would like to see improved in the second half of the season.

Having been held to draws by Newcastle United, Fulham, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in four of their past seven league games, Slot wants his players to take their chances late on in tight encounters.

"One of the things I would like us to do better in the second half of the season than the first half, although it wasn't necessary that many times, is to make a late goal winner," said the Dutchman before his side's game at Brentford on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"Hopefully we don't come to these situations a lot but we definitely, if we are coming in those situations, have one, two or three times a moment where we do score in the last minute of the game when we deserve it."

Liverpool have a game in hand over Arsenal and play before the Gunners kick-off against Aston Villa at 17:30 on Saturday.

However, Slot said he was staying focused on his job at Liverpool rather than looking at his rivals or the league table.

"I didn't even know they [Arsenal] were playing later than us. I only look at the opponent we have to face and I know that is a tough one," he added.

"I don't think we are thinking about the league table as much as the media are. We are trying to get the best out of the players and the players are trying to get the best out of themselves every single day.

"These players know how long the season still is and how many games they need to be in the best possible form to win something at the end of the season, which is not something that happens every season.

"We are not so focused on the league table as other people are."

Liverpool's second-half endeavour in their draw at Nottingham Forest saw them end the game with a central midfielder at centre-back, full-backs playing as wingers and a healthy 23 shots on a night where Arne Slot showed an abundance of creativity and adventure.

The Reds' attacking output has been stellar - with 48 goals a league high by a distance. The question is, as they near a junction in their season where finding a fraction more in the locker could draw them away from a chasing pack, where might such small margins be hiding?

Almost every attacking player is exceeding their xG - with Mohamed Salah frontrunning on 18 goals from an expected 16.94. Luis Diaz - eight goals from an xG of 5.28 - and Cody Gakpo - six from an xG of 3.88 - are outperforming by a margin.

The only player not hitting their xG is Dominik Szoboszlai, with two goals from an expected 4.31. Is this small slither of data an area where Slot's side can find crucial improvement?

In the Hungarian's defence, he has created 28 chances in the Premier League this season, figures only bettered by Salah (42) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (37). He can question the finishing of others as to why only two of those chances have turned into assists.

Ultimately, extracting more from Szoboszlai seems an obvious pathway to improvement - both in his own finishing and in how others process what he tees up.

In pondering what or who can improve, the Reds must make sure so many players continue to outperform as the graph above displays.

And ultimately, if anyone can make a leap to get anywhere near the 31 combined goals and assists Salah has delivered, the Reds will be almost impossible to stop.

Diaz - on a humble 10 by comparison - sits second in the ranking. Salah has trebled the critical output of his nearest counterpart. If anyone finds a burst of form to narrow the gap to him, a 20th league title would be all but guaranteed.

Is Darwin Nunez low on confidence?

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot does not believe so and says his current form is similar to what any striker goes through in their career.

He is, however, really pleased with Luis Diaz who is proving he can score when starting on the left-hand-side or centrally for the Reds.

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Liverpool have conceded the first goal in five of their past seven Premier League games, having done so in just three of their first 13 this season.

However, they have not lost any of these matches, recovering to win once and draw four.

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Arne Slot is thrilled Liverpool are "still able to compete" as Premier League rivals Manchester City flex their financial muscles over star striker Erling Haaland.

With the Norwegian striker signing a new nine-and-a-half year contract, it shows a huge contrast as to what is happening on Merseyside with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Mo Salah all on course to be free agents in the summer.

The weekly wage cost of Liverpool's three stars is £750,000, whereas it is reported Haaland's new deal will be two thirds of that alone. And, with City reportedly expected to splurge over £150m in this transfer window and Liverpool unlikely to make a significant deal, it begs the question of whether their own position in English football's pecking order is at risk.

This was asked to Slot in Friday's news conference before the Reds' weekend game at Brentford, and he replied: "Not particularly about the investment but we know how good we have to be every single day to compete in this league.

"It is not only the club you are referring to, Chelsea also spend £1.2bn, (Manchester) United spend an incredible amount.

"Every team spends a lot of money over here, that's why it's such an interesting league to be part of.

"Some seasons this club spends a bit more, other seasons other clubs spend a bit more. That's what makes this league so intense and so difficult to win.

"But that's also the reason why we want to be here. You want to compete against the best, with the best, and we are very happy with the team we have at the moment and we are still able to compete with all the teams that are spending incredible amounts of money."

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed Diogo Jota "felt a little niggle" in Tuesday's game against Nottingham Forest and is now a doubt for Saturday's trip to Brentford.

However, the forward's latest injury is unlikely to hinder a potential loan move for academy star Jayden Danns, who has done "really well" when called upon. Slot still feels he has an adequate number of players available.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Being a Liverpool fan, fighting against Manchester City has often felt like we are competing on an un-level playing field.

They spent brilliantly to dominate the Premier League, but could buy with impunity. A £50m full-back does not work out? No problem, they just get another.

Liverpool would not get away with spending huge money on Kalvin Philipps and Mathueus Nunes, for example. If we stumped up £100m on this pair, that would be it - the midfield budget gone.

So Erling Haaland's new contract grates for a few reasons.

Firstly, Liverpool's own superstars have not had their deals renewed. FSG are haggling over the money and length of terms and we might lose Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk. Three of the best players on the planet. City though, despite being in a rut, extend Haaland for a decade.

Secondly, City have endured their first poor run in a very long time and immediately, Pep Guardiola is given money to fix it. Claudio Echeverri has come in, with Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov arriving shortly in what could be a £100m+plus January spend. Liverpool are crying out for defensive reinforcements but the right opportunity just does not arise.

Thirdly, Haaland's renewal suggests City are extremely confident their punishment for the 115 charges will be minimal. After all, why would the Norwegian commit his whole career to a club facing potential relegation?

Liverpool need a win against Brentford, badly.

And a contract or transfer announcement, however unlikely, would be nice, too.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Diogo Jota "is going to struggle" after feeling "a niggle" in the draw to Nottingham Forest. He did not train on Thursday.

• Meanwhile, Luis Diaz, who also did not train yesterday, is expected to be fine having only missed the session with a sore throat.

• Slot said he expect a "tough game" against Brentford, acknowledging there "has been a lot to prepare" his players for after analysing their style and "many strengths".

• On what he expects from the Bees: "They have a high press going man to man and can defend in a low block. They can score goals in all sort of ways, are a threat from set-pieces and can score in the first seconds."

• He said his team "don't think about the league table every single day" like the media do and his players "know how long the season is and how they have to be in their best form to win a trophy."

• On an upcoming busy schedule: "It has been a double programme week since the Champions League started. It is what makes the Premier League the hardest league in the world to compete in. But we have tried to prepare them in pre-season for this. They are completely fit and ready."

• He disagreed that Darwin Nunez is low on confidence and said "it is the life of a striker that sometimes you score and sometimes you don't." Slot added: "We have so many goals in our team and Darwin will score like he has in the past for this club. I don't see him struggling that much."

• On Diaz playing more centrally given Cody Gakpo's form on the left-hand-side: "He has done really well as a nine. I am happy with how he does as a left-winger or a nine. He has scored many goals in either [position]."

• He said Liverpool's lack of clean sheets in recent games is "not a concern but it's also not what we want" as they compete for the title.

• Striker Jayden Danns could still move away from Anfield on loan in this transfer window despite Jota's new injury: "We do already have three options and we don't expect Jota to be out for a long period of time. Jayden did really well when he came in but it's up to us as the club to make the decision for him now and for the club in the long term."

• On whether he is concerned about the lack of goals from substitutes: "No, because there are not many times where they've needed to affect the game with a goal. One of the things I would like us to do better is to have a late winner. There were a few games where we created chance after chance to score a winner - and we haven't."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Brentford v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT