Prior to yesterday’s loss, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has acknowledged that Liverpool was aware of the main qualities of Thomas Frank’s team but did not up to the challenge of neutralizing threats provided by their opponents.
Despite being spared having to deal with the prolific Ivan Toney, the Reds were defeated by set pieces and balls sent into the box and experienced the same result as when the teams met at the Gtech Community Stadium last season.
Both of Brentford’s goals came from headed attempts. Alisson was unable to stop both of the additional set-piece goals that VAR disallowed, saving Liverpool’s face before halftime.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who claimed the Reds knew what to expect from their opponents but still struggled, said: “Brentford play their game and they play it incredibly well. Although we somewhat fell into that trap, it wasn’t sufficient. Before the game, we had access to ample knowledge regarding those threats. It was one thing to hear about it in our pregame meetings, and the coaching staff did everything they could to inform us, but the outcome was different.
“We failed to up to the challenge as a group of men, and perhaps we weren’t aggressive enough. The disappointing part is that the things we were warned about killed us. When you are behind 2-0 in a Premier League match, the rest of the game will be uphill.”
At the opening of the second half, Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the Reds a goal back by heading in Trent Alexander-precise Arnold’s cross into the area. In Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz’s absence, the former Arsenal player filled the left wing position and acknowledged that he had learned from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane about creating an impact in the final third.
I’ve been watching Sadio and Mo play that position for years, and one thing they’ve both done really well is set up goals for the club. Bobby typically drops a little deeper and covers the half space when he plays that role, whereas Darwin plays through the middle because he poses such a threat from behind, the 29-year-old explained to LFCTV.
“So, that’s kind of been my duty ever since—to drop deep and try to link but eventually pick up the pace with Darwin and Mo to enter and exit the box. I have been missing that genuine goal threat over the past few games, I believe.SoSo, it was nice to get that chance and take it. But it’s a shame it doesn’t mean anything and the overriding feeling is disappointment.”