John Bennett
BBC Final Score at Turf Moor

Despite the news of Liverpool’s big win, it’s a very jovial atmosphere in the Arsenal away end today.

And that’s no surprise because it’s been a great 2024 for the Gunners fans so far.

In fact the team can start a calendar year with five straight Premier League wins for the first time in their history this afternoon.

They expect nothing less than a big victory at a ground there they’ve never lost in the Premier League era.

Image source, BBC Sport

Liverpool's advantage can be slashed back to two points in the next few hours.

Manchester City also have a game in hand, remember.

Over to you, fellas.

Liverpool have done what they needed to do: earn the win and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.

Let's find out how Arsenal and then Manchester City, a little later, can respond.

Here is how the top of the table looks...

Job done for Liverpool. An impressive showing to win comfortably in the end but it did come at considerably cost.

Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota went off injured in the first half and Darwin Nunez was replaced at the break - although we don't yet knowing if that was an enforced change.

The Uruguayan had opened the scoring for Liverpool before goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah extended the lead.

Ivan Toney pulled one back for Brentford but Cody Gakpo made the game safe for Jurgen Klopp's side late on.

Image source, Reuters

Liverpool are the width of the bar away from making it five.

Andy Robertson's whipped in the corner from the left, Virgil van Dijk rose highest but his header bounced back off the crossbar.

Liverpool are looking for a fifth but Cody Gakpo's ball through to Harvey Elliott is too strong and Mark Flekken is out to collect.

Brentford counter but Virgil van Dijk, who has been excellent, is in the way for the umpteenth time today.

Superb stop from Caoimhin Kelleher as Brentford threaten from a free-kick again.

The ball is whipped in from the right, Ivan Toney meets it - the ball came off his shoulder rather than his head - and Kelleher manages to claw it away.

Excellent save from the Irishman.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool with a free-kick right on the edge of the box now.

Mohamed Salah is over it. It's better suited for a left-footer but I can't remember him scoring from a set piece, penalties aside, before.

It's not Salah, though, it's Harvey Elliott. Decent effort but parried away by Mark Flekken.

Brentford have a free-kick that is just within shooting range and Ivan Toney takes it on.

No trouble for Caoimhin Kelleher, though, as he drifts wide.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Australia keeper on Sky Sports

Cody Gakpo took his time and found himself with a 1v1 with the goalkeeper.

But, Brentford had to deal with a simple ball over the top and it is bad defending, Gakpo finds himself in a brilliant position and slots it home comfortably.

Image source, Getty Images

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on TNT Sports

It's another really poor bit of defending. After the goal they haven't offered much, Brentford.

That goal there is not good enough. I don't think Gakpo was going to miss that.

The changes keep coming and it's Brentford's turn this time.

Sergio Reguilon goes off, Saman Ghoddos as the Bees push to try and make this a nervy finish.

Double change now for Liverpool as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley go off.

Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez replace them.

Ryan Gravenberch slips the ball through to Luis Diaz, who goes over as he tries to keep the ball in play.

The Liverpool winger wants a penalty, Michael Oliver points for a goal kick and after a quick VAR check, that call stands.

Image source, Reuters

Liverpool able to come forward again and another intricate move almost gives Alexis mac Allister a chance of a second.

Brentford are still in this, though, as we approach the last 10 minutes of the 90.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Australia keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I feel for Caoimhin Kelleher, he makes a really good save from Sergio Reguilon's shot.

Ivan Toney is always around and he finishes it really well - game on!