Liverpool 3-0 Brentford – Reds cruise to Premier League victory with Mohamed Salah at the double in hitting 200th goal
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Updated 12/11/2023 at 22:34 GMT
It was another fine showing from Mohamed Salah as the Liverpool talisman netted twice in their comfortable Premier League victory over Brentford at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. The Egyptian scored his brace either side of half-time, while Diogo Jota also got on the scoresheet late on to stretch the hosts' lead. It proved to be a key day for Jurgen Klopp's side, who moved second top of the table.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield
Image credit: Getty Images
Mohamed Salah scored his 200th goal in English football by firing a clinical double in Liverpool's 3-0 Premier League triumph over Brentford at Anfield.
The Egyptian striker slipped home his ninth and 10th goals of the season, his first of the day a fine finish from Darwin Nunez's pass on 39 minutes before heading home Kostas Tsimikas' cross on 62 minutes to give Jurgen Klopp's side their sixth straight home league victory of the season.
Diogo Jota walloped home a blistering third on 74 minutes to finish off Thomas Frank's game Brentford side, who had caused the hosts plenty of problems without finding an elusive finishing touch in chasing a landmark fourth straight win in the English top league for the first time since March 1939.
They remain without a win at Liverpool since November 1937.
The home team also had two goals ruled out for offside confirmed by VAR with Nunez marginally off on both occasions before he played provider for Salah's exquisite finish.
Liverpool are up to second place and joined Arsenal on 27 points at the summit, a point behind leaders Manchester City following their epic 4-4 draw with Chelsea.
Brentford are 10th on 16 points.
Talking point - Should Wataru Endo have been sent off?
Amid the general chaos enveloping the game, VAR did its job correctly by supporting referee Paul Tierney when he opted against taking any action against the Liverpool midfielder after he collided with Christian Norgaard in the middle of the park just before the hour mark.
It was a crunching tackle by Endo, but it was also a 50-50 challenge with the ball there to be won by both men.
VAR decided to study the replay for apparent dangerous play, but decided no action was needed despite the protests of an animated Brentford coach Thomas Frank on the touchline.
In Tierney's opinion, it was not worthy of a booking. Yet VAR could have intervened to award a red?
"Whether it's a red card, I don't know, I've not seen the replays, but it's one for people to talk about," said defender Ben Mee of Brentford. "You don't want to see players sent off, but I was surprised it wasn't a foul."
Football is a contact sport and players risk serious injury if they do not apply the correct force when making such challenges.
Thankfully, common sense prevailed on this occasion.
Player of the match - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Not much else you can say about Salah that hasn't been said before, but we might as well try after another rousing performance against a sturdy visiting team.
A world-class talent who works so hard for all the success he gets in the game for both club and country.
Not only a prolific scorer, but a passing expert of some incisiveness in providing them for his team-mates with so much ease.
And don't forget, he also grabbed two for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in his 200 goals and counting in English football.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Alisson 8, Alexander-Arnold 7, Matip 6, van Dijk 8, Tsimikas 8, Szoboszlai 7, Endo 7, Gakpo 7, Salah 9, Nunez 8, Jota 8 Subs: Diaz 6, Elliott 6, McConnell 6, Quansah 6
Brentford: Flekken 8, Ajer 7, Collins 7, Pinnock 7, Roerslev 7, Jensen 7, Norgaard 7, Janelt 6, Mee 7, Mbeumo 7, Wissa 6 Subs: Maupay 6, Jorgensen, Ghoddos 6, Onyeka 6, Yarmolyuk 6
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Mohamed Salah
Image credit: Getty Images
Match highlights
35' GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR BRENTFORD: Brilliant surge up the park on the break by Bryan Mbeumo as he goes across the troubled Trent Alexander-Arnold to get a shot away, but Alisson Becker is off his line like a shot to make the stop. Brilliant piece of keeping by the Liverpool man.
24' LIVERPOOL HAVE GOAL RULED OFF VIA VAR: Darwin Nunez has the ball in the net with a tidy finish from close range, but the linesman has his flag up and VAR confirms the assistant called that correctly with his own eyes.
28' LIVERPOOL HAVE ANOTHER GOAL UP FOR VAR: Van Dijk sees a powerful header saved by Flekken from the corner. Ball breaks to Nunez coming back towards the ball as he clips home the overhead kick, but the linesman has his flag up again.
39' - GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Brentford (Salah): Finally the first goal arrives for the home side from the iconic Mo Salah. A brilliant piece of finishing play by the Egypt striker, who accepts the pass from Nunez to tuck the ball low and hard into the corner of the net from inside the box. What a superb finish.
62' - Liverpool 2-0 Brentford (Salah): Salah with the headed finish on 61 minutes. Brilliant finish at the back post as Brentford conked out. Kostas Tsimikas with the cross and that is a 200th goal for Salah in English football.
74' - Liverpool 3-0 Brentford (Jota): Superb goal from Jota. Just outside the box. He cuts in and thumps the ball into the corner of the net. What a brilliant finish. Game, set and match.
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