Liverpool 1-1 Brentford Player Ratings: Honours Even in a Tense Anfield Stalemate As Arne Slot's Men Confirm Champions League Place

It was a day of shared spoils at Anfield as Liverpool and Brentford fought to a gritty 1-1 draw. This Premier League encounter was a classic tale of frustration and resilience.

The Reds will feel they should have won it, given the chances they created, as they failed to give one of the best wingers in football currently, Mohamed Salah, his deserved sending off for his services to the club all these years

Liverpool dominated possession for long spells and looked destined for victory. They took a deserved lead through a smart finish from Curtis Jones just before the hour mark. However, Brentford showed tenacity as they weathered the storm and hit back just six minutes later.

It was Kevin Schade who rose highest to head home the equalizer from a Keane Lewis-Potter cross in the 64th minute, stunning the home crowd.

What stood out was the sheer number of missed opportunities, especially for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah even struck the woodwork in the first half, with Florian Wirtz seeing his shot saved by ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher at the very end.

Dango Ouattara saw his header fly over the bar in the last seconds of the game, as they failed to secure a surprising yet deserving European spot for the next season. In the end, a draw felt like a fair, if slightly underwhelming, result for both sides in this match.

Here are the Liverpool vs Brentford Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Arne Slot's men had more of the ball and even had a higher xG of 2.90, but failed to convert their chances effectively.
• Virgil van Dijk won the most duels in this game (9).
• Nathan Collins recorded the most clearances in this match (8).

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Brentford

Check out the Liverpool Player Ratings from the Liverpool vs Brentford Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Alisson - 6.0: A relatively quiet afternoon for the Brazilian. He made one save but could do little about Schade's powerful header. His distribution was a bit shaky, with only 62% of his passes finding their man. He wasn't tested much, but the one time he was truly challenged, the ball was in his net.

Defenders

Virgil van Dijk - 6.5: A standard, solid performance from the captain. He was dominant in the air, winning 7 of 8 aerial duels, and was composed on the ball. However, the defence was breached for the equalizer, which happens on his watch. A decent outing but not his most commanding.

Ibrahima Konaté - 6.5: A really mixed display from the Frenchman. He made some crucial clearances and had a headed chance on goal himself. But he also picked up a late yellow card and seemed a bit too aggressive at times, which we noticed led to him being caught out of position once or twice.

Curtis Jones - 7.5: We were impressed. Listed as a defender, he played like an attacking midfielder. He popped up to score Liverpool's only goal with a well-taken shot. His passing was crisp (93% accuracy) and he was tidy in possession. It was his goal that gives his rating a significant boost in an otherwise frustrating team performance.

Andrew Robertson - 6.5: The usual energetic performance down the left flank. He delivered some dangerous crosses and was a constant outlet. Defensively, he was solid enough, but he lost possession a few too many times for our liking. A typical hard-working shift.

Midfielders

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7.0: Liverpool's creative hub in this match. He created three key chances, including one big chance. He was always looking to make things happen. His shooting, however, was a letdown, failing to hit the target with his attempts. A frustrating but promising performance.

Alexis Mac Allister - 7.0: Similar to Szoboszlai, Mac Allister was a bright spark. He also laid on three key passes and looked to drive the team forward. He had several shots blocked, showing his intent to get on the scoresheet. A classy performance, even if the final product wasn't quite there.

Mohamed Salah - 7.0: A very eventful game for the Egyptian King. He provided the assist for the goal and was a menace throughout. He was incredibly unlucky to see his shot cannon back off the post in the first half. The big negative? He lost possession a staggering 25 times. It was a surprise to see him subbed off.

Ryan Gravenberch - 6.5: A really industrious performance in the middle of the park. He won six duels and made three tackles, showing his defensive contribution. He also got a shot on target. He worked tirelessly but lacked that bit of quality to unlock Brentford's defence.

Forwards

Cody Gakpo - 6.0: A difficult day at the office for Gakpo. He seemed to struggle to get into the game and was on the periphery for long periods. He missed a big chance and just looked a bit off the pace. From our perspective, he needs to be more involved and clinical.

Rio Ngumoha - 6.0: The young attacker showed some nice touches and good movement. He tried to make things happen but his inexperience showed at times. He lost the ball ten times in his 73 minutes. A valuable learning experience for him, for sure.

Manager

A. Slot - 6.5: His team created enough chances to win the game comfortably, but the finishing was poor. The decision to withdraw Salah when the team was searching for a winner was a baffling one. He'll be disappointed his side couldn't hold onto the lead and see the game out.

Brentford Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Have a look at the Brentford Player Ratings from the Liverpool vs Brentford Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Caoimhín Kelleher - 7.5: A brilliant performance from Kelleher against the team he knows so well. He made four crucial saves, including three from inside the box, to keep his side in the contest. Commanded his area well with some decisive punches. A key figure in securing a point.

Defenders

Sepp van den Berg - 6.5: Faced with a relentless Liverpool attack, he stood up well. He made six clearances and was generally solid in his defensive duties. It's never easy coming to Anfield, and he put in a respectable shift.

Nathan Collins - 7.5: A true captain's performance. Collins was a monster at the back, putting his body on the line with three blocked shots. He was strong in the tackle and led his backline with authority. An outstanding defensive display.

Keane Lewis-Potter - 7.0: Played his part in a stoic defensive effort. He recovered the ball six times and made some important interceptions and clearances. He also managed to get forward and deliver a key pass. A well-rounded performance.

Michael Kayode - 6.0: It was a tough assignment for Kayode against Liverpool's tricky forwards. He battled hard, making three tackles, but lost five of his ten duels. He was committed but sometimes struggled with the pace and movement of the opposition.

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson - 6.5: A tidy and professional hour of football from the veteran. He kept the ball moving and brought a sense of calm to the midfield before being substituted. Did his job without any fuss.

Kevin Schade - 8.0: Our Man of the Match. He was a constant threat and fully deserved his goal. His powerful header secured a vital point for Brentford. Beyond the goal, his two shots on target and energetic running caused Liverpool problems all afternoon. A fantastic performance and the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Mathias Jensen - 6.5: He worked hard in the engine room and created two chances for his teammates. His passing was reliable, and he battled for control in a congested midfield. A solid, if unspectacular, outing.

Vitaly Janelt - 6.5: Almost perfect in his passing, with a 97% accuracy rate. He was the metronome in Brentford's midfield, keeping things simple and effective. Didn't grab the headlines but played an important role in his team's performance.

Dango Ouattara - 5.5: We have to be honest, this was a disappointing performance. He struggled to make an impact, losing possession 12 times and winning only two of his eight duels. His two shots were off target. He just never really got into the rhythm of the game.

Forwards

Igor Thiago - 6.0: A thankless task leading the line on his own against Van Dijk and Konaté. He fought for every ball but was largely isolated. He did his best to hold up play and bring others into the game, but he had very little service to work with.

Manager

K. Andrews - 7.0: He got his tactics spot on. His team was organized, resilient, and clinical when their chance came. He set them up to absorb pressure and hit on the counter, and it worked perfectly. He'll be delighted with his team's fighting spirit and the well-earned point.

Man of the Match

Kevin Schade was the best performer in this EPL game.

Worst Performer

Dango Ouattara was the worst performer from Liverpool vs Brentford.