Liverpool ratings: Luis Diaz leads the way in Brentford win

Liverpool made it two wins from two within the Premier League on Sunday afternoon as they secured a 2-0 win over Brentford at Anfield.

It took till the thirteenth minute for the Reds to go forward when Diogo Jota discovered Luis Díaz to complete off an incisive counter-attack, after Ibrahima Konaté and Mohamed Salah received necessary duels from a Brentford nook.

Liverpool maintained management all through the remainder of the primary half with out creating any additional vital possibilities, whereas Konate was required to place in an necessary header to clear the hazard earlier than the break.

Andrew Robertson nearly doubled the lead minutes after the restart with a strong header that was palmed away from the close to publish by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Alisson was subsequent to be known as into motion as he denied a Nathan Collins header within the 56th minute.

Arne Slot’s aspect responded properly to that second as they went on to create a flurry of alternatives, and it was Salah who completed calmly following a superbly timed run behind the road to double the lead.

Cody Gakpo got here closest to scoring a 3rd objective from the bench together with his effort from exterior of the field that was deflected onto the bar, and the Reds seemed comfy as they performed out the rest of the sport.

Positives

Liverpool had been properly well worth the win after a superb second-half show. There have been additionally optimistic indicators of link-up between the ahead line, with Jota, Diaz and Salah seeking to discover one another ceaselessly.

Negatives

Liverpool did not create a lot within the first half exterior of the counter and had been too gradual at occasions.

Supervisor score (1-10; 10 = finest)

Arne Slot, 6 — An ideal begin from Slot, whose title was sung by The Kop after Liverpool went 2-0 up. His adjustments at half-time had a transparent impression, with the Reds noticeably extra harmful after the restart.

Participant scores

GK Alisson, 6 – Calm when taking part in out from the again, he made an necessary save in opposition to Nathan Collins who rose above the Liverpool defence to go on track.

DF Andrew Robertson, 7 – Unfortunate to not rating from two promising possibilities, with the very best a close-range header simply minutes into the second half. Positioned intelligently all through the sport, generally coming inside to create area for Diaz out large.

DF Virgil van Dijk, 6 – The Liverpool captain organised his defence properly, which pushed up and dropped off on the proper occasions to maintain the opposition at bay.

DF Ibrahima Konate, 7 – An assured efficiency from Konate, who received the header that started Liverpool’s counter, earlier than profitable one other necessary duel to disclaim a Brentford likelihood.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 – The 25-year-old defended properly when challenged by Brentford winger Keane Lewis-Potter and seemed to play progressively in superior areas.

MF Ryan Gravenberch, 7 – Calm in possession, however picked up a yellow card near the break for a poorly timed problem. One other shiny efficiency from the Netherlands worldwide from the No. 6 place and he broke up play properly in the course of the pitch.

MF Alexis Mac Allister, 6 – Liverpool’s World Cup-winning midfielder was quiet within the first half, however had extra of an impression after the restart as he started to seek out area and thread the ball into harmful areas.

MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 6 – Pressed properly and labored arduous to trace again, whereas exhibiting some neat items of link-up play in central areas. He nearly caught the goalkeeper out when hitting the publish from a nook.

FW Luis Diaz, 8 – The Colombia worldwide was direct together with his runs behind the road and completed with conviction for the opener, with an effort that was too robust for Flekken to deal with. He registered the help for Salah’s objective with a well-timed go.

FW Diogo Jota, 7 – A wonderfully weighted go from Jota allowed Diaz to take the ball in stride earlier than ending for the opener. He nearly obtained a second help when selecting out Robertson on the again publish within the second half.

FW Mohamed Salah, 7 – On the coronary heart of quite a lot of optimistic Liverpool possibilities, he was troublesome for the opposition to choose up. Started to run inside way more within the second half which brought about issues for the defence, ultimately scoring to make it 2-0 with a exact left-footed end.

Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no score)

Darwin Núñez (Jota, 72″), N/R – Linked play properly when dropping deep earlier than making direct runs in behind the road.

Cody Gakpo (Diaz, 72″), N/R – Got here shut with a strong effort exterior of the field that was deflected onto the crossbar.

Conor Bradley (Alexander-Arnold, 73″), N/R – The Northern Eire worldwide supervisor was at Anfield on Sunday afternoon to see Bradley’s cameo, because the 21-year-old gave one other optimistic account of himself when approaching for Alexander-Arnold.

Harvey Elliott (Salah, 83″), N/R – Elliott was deployed on the proper flank in a direct substitute for Salah, and he nearly made a fast impression with a harmful cross in the direction of the 6-yard field.

Wataru Endo (Gravenberch, 90+1,) N/R – Launched for the ultimate 4 minutes of damage time.