ARNE SLOT is facing the first crisis of his Liverpool reign after they crashed to their FOURTH straight Premier League loss.
They were overpowered by Brentford at the Gtech after Dango Ouatarra and Kevin Schade struck in what proved a first-half horror show for the Reds.
Even Milos Kerkez’s goal four-and-a-half minutes into three minutes of first-half stoppage time was unable to spark a comeback in West London as Igor Thiago converted a 60th-minute penalty.
Mo Solah ended his six-game Prem run without scoring by lashing home a late volley to make it nervy for Brentford but they held firm for ELEVEN minutes of stoppage time.
Brentford fans jokingly sang “You’re getting sacked in the morning” as Slot stood on the touchline with his hands on hips.
That is not going to happen — but Liverpool’s Premier League defence bid is in danger of going up in smoke.
FERGIE TIME
Fergie’s son SACKED despite being called ‘greatest manager in club’s history’
WILD OFFER
Win a Ford Transit Custom MS-RT plus £2,000 cash from just 17p with our code
The stats do not make good reading.
This is the first time they have lost four Prem games in a row since February 2021.
They have already conceded TWENTY-ONE goals in all competitions this season.
And Ouattara’s fifth-minute opener came from a huge Michael Kayode long throw — the sixth goal they have conceded from a set piece and third from a throw!
Since they beat Brentford in January they have now lost FIVE straight games in the capital — the first time since November 1970!
Virgil van Dijk was marking his 150th game as Liverpool captain since taking over from Jordan Henderson, who was lining up against his former club for the first time.
But the Dutchman, who also has not been on the money this season, ended up giving away the penalty after catching Ouattara on the line of the 18-yard box.
It was a tight decision that needed VAR to intervene, before sub ref Tim Robinson changed his call.
Brentford staged a dramatic light show with techno music before kick-off.
To be fair, Saturday nights are more accustomed to clubbing rather than going to a football match.
And it was Brentford who were dancing with joy as they moved in front after just five minutes.
Kayode launched the ball into the box with a huge throw from the left.
Kristoffer Ajer flicked the ball on at the near post and Ouattara managed to get away from Milos Kerkez to slide the ball past Giorgi Mamardashvili for his second goal since a summer move from Bournemouth for a club record £42.5million.
Alarmingly, it was the sixth game in a row that Liverpool had conceded first.
Cody Gakapo tried to slip Salah in — but the Egyptian star’s touch was too heavy and Caoimhin Kelleher was able to smother the ball.
Liverpool were looking rattled and Kerkez, who was having a nightmare start, gave the ball away — but fortunately Henderson’s long ball forward was overhit.
Mark Halsey on Brentford vs Liverpool
LIVERPOOL were correctly denied a first-half penalty when Cody Gakpo went down after he was challenged by Nathan Collins.
Referee Simon Hooper got it right because Brentford defender Collins did not make any contact with the Reds forward inside the penalty box.
Hooper was in a fantastic position and looking at the challenge, which came just before the Bees went two goals up.
I felt Gakpo was already going down and you could argue the Liverpool player could have been cautioned for simulation.
VAR Chris Kavanagh was correct not to get involved and I have to congratulate the referee for making a good decision.
Milos Kerkez scored in the FIFTH MINUTE of added time in the first half.
Three minutes were indicated but that’s a minimum.
It could be three, four, five or six and can be because players are taking their time taking throws or for an injury.
The ref is the sole judge of time and Brentford boss Keith Andrews and their fans could have no complaints with the official there.
VAR Kavanagh was correct when he intervened after Virgil van Dijk caught Dango Ouattara right on the line of the 18-yard box and it was a clear penalty.
That seemed to wake up the visitors.
Florian Wirtz should have pulled them level when Hugo Ekitike’s back-heel was deflected into his path 12 yards from goal.
But the German midfielder’s effort skimmed the outside of the left post.
And Liverpool wasted another glorious chance when Ekitike glanced a header inches wide from a curling Gakpo cross.
Slot’s men were turning the screw and with Gakpo getting half a yard just outside the box he curled a shot over.
Brentford were forced into a 28th-minute change when Yehor Yarmoliuk hobbled off and was replaced by Vitaly Janelt.
Liverpool had to face another one of Kayode’s missiles into the box but this time managed to get it away before Nathan Collins headed straight at Mamardashvili from his follow-up cross.
Henderson was teed up by Schade on the edge of the box but his effort was dragged a yard wide.
Mamardashvili pulled off a save out of the top drawer when he managed to fingertip a thumping 25-yard dipping shot from Mikkel Damsgaard over.
But Brentford deservedly doubled their lead just before the break.
Damsgaard played an absolute peach of a pass through the smallest of gaps between Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, for Schade to run in behind one-on-one with Mamardashvilu.
And he left Konate in his wake before firing past the Liverpool keeper.
Three minutes were announced for stoppages — yet ref Simon Hooper still had not blown after four and a half minutes as Conor Bradley’s low pass from the right was dummied by Gakpo and Kerkez finished from close range.
Bees boss Andrews was booked for his protests about the amount of time Hooper played.
Fourth official Robinson took over as ref, swapping with injured Hooper at the break.
Damsgaard let fly from 25 yards and the Liverpool keeper yet again made a top drawer stop to push it away.
Then came the killer blow when Ouattara with his back to goal and running away was caught by Van Dijk.
Robinson waved away the protests but VAR intervened and he reversed his decision after replays showed contact was made on the 18-yard box line.
Up stepped Thiago to drill home the third.
But just when it looked like the points were in the bag, Salah struck with a minute of normal time left.
Brentford gave the ball away and Dominik Szoboszlai crossed for Salah to smack home a left-foot volley off the crossbar.
COOL OFF
I’ve been to over 50 countries – here are my cheap winter sun hols with £11 hotels
UNMASKED
Chilling unheard tapes reveal how cops tore apart smirking serial killer Ted Bundy
ELEVEN extra minutes were played and Caoimhin Kelleher gifted away a nervy corner for holding the ball for too long.
But the West Londoners held on with Slot left with plenty to ponder.
Read the full article here