Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scored in Arne Slot’s first competitive home game as Liverpool manager, with the Reds outclassing Brentford to start the new Premier League season with two wins out of two.
The attacking duo netted either side of half-time as the Reds wowed supporters with slick, one-touch passing moves, sparking optimism about what life could be like after legendary manager Jurgen Klopp.
With the dust settling on a convincing 2-0 win for Liverpool, Express Sport takes you through four key talking points from the match…
Anfield given Klopp flashbacks
Sunday afternoon marked the start of a new era for the Anfield faithful, who were watching Slot’s Liverpool in a competitive home game for the first time. Though the Dutchman has stressed that his style of play will differ from that of his predecessor, Diaz’s opening goal offered no clues as to how.
Transitioning from one end of the pitch to the other at a rapid pace was a hallmark of Klopp’s philosophy. And that’s exactly what happened in the 13th minute as Diaz finished off a devastating counter-attack, led by Diogo Jota, to net on his 100th appearance for the Reds.
Liverpool dodge bullet
The scoreline was comfortable in the end, but Brentford kept it tight until 20 minutes from time, when Salah doubled the hosts’ advantage. It will quickly be forgotten that things could have gone awry for Liverpool.
Moments after the second-half restart, Jota thrust his elbow towards the face of Brentford’s Nathan Collins during an aerial battle. The VAR took a look without recommending action, though Liverpool could easily have gone down to 10 men and struggled through the rest of the game.
Trent does Trent things
Not many players have the talent to even try and score from a corner-kick. But Trent Alexander-Arnold is so confident in his magnificent right foot, he tried to catch goalkeeper Mark Flekken out at his near-post on multiple occasions.
All of his attempts went close, and when Alexander-Arnold wasn’t going for the audacious he dropped it on a sixpence, as he always does, in a superb showing of his ability to deliver from set-pieces.
Stakes to rise for Slot
New manager Slot has made a great start to life on Merseyside with last weekend’s win over Ipswich Town followed by victory at home to Brentford. The former Feyenoord boss couldn’t ask for more than six points from a possible six, but he is about to get a taste of what it really means to be in charge of an English football heavyweight.
A trip to Old Trafford to face bitter rivals Manchester United next Sunday presents an entirely different proposition, and the result will set the mood for the subsequent international break.
