Liverpool concluded their latest batch of Premier League fixtures with a hard-earned but comfortable win over Brentford on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah scored twice and Diogo Jota also netted as the Reds were full value for their 3-0 win over the Londoners. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men go into the season’s third international break in second place, just a point behind leaders Manchester City.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield.
Paul Tierney became an unwitting inspiration for Liverpool with his part in riling the crowd – and Joel Matip – shortly before the opening goal. But the referee had already upset Jurgen Klopp.
When the Reds looked to take a quick free-kick to keep their attack moving, Tierney instead pulled play back and allowed Brentford to reset before the kick was retaken.
Cue an angry Klopp sprinting down the touchline with his hands over his mouth in sheer astonishment at what had just happened.
Mad Matip
Matip had been left flabbergasted by the decision of Tierney to not only penalise but also book him following a challenge with Christian Norgaard, his animated reaction going viral.
But it wasn’t the only time the Liverpool centre-back was agitated by the officials. Cue a lesser meltdown in the second half when Matip, in the Brentford penalty area, was adjudged to have pushed his opponent when trying to win a corner.
There aren’t many more amusing sights in football than the Cameroonian when he feels wronged. Never change, Joel.
Van Dijk victorious
Few would argue against the assertion Virgil van Dijk is once again in imperious form. And opposing strikers are acutely aware of the fact.
Witness the reaction of Bryan Mbeumo when, during a first-half break in play, he was summoned by Brentford boss Thomas Frank to the touchline, who told his forward to spend less time out wide and get more into central areas.
The reaction from Mbeumo suggested that given the height difference with Van Dijk, that would be a particularly futile job for him. And so it proved.
Alisson has it
There was another amusing moment before the break when Alisson Becker raced out of his goal and then played an elaborate ball with the outside of his right foot towards the left wing.
From its initial trajectory, it appeared the ball was heading out of play, much to the delight of the cheering Brentford end.
However, the curve on the pass meant it hugged the touchline and allowed Diogo Jota to win a throw-in by playing it off Kristoffer Ajer, prompting even louder delight from the home crowd. Braziliant.
