Liverpool maintained their position at the Premier League summit with a hugely impressive win at Brentford on Saturday.
Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, the returning Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo were all on the mark to render Ivan Toney’s strike mere consolation as the Reds romped to a 4-1 win.
And here’s how the ECHO rated Liverpool’s players after they earned the club their first-ever triumph at the at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Confident with his feet and handling, and easily claimed rare Brentford shots first half. Unlucky for good save from Reguilon to fall for Toney to score. Good stop from latter late on.
Conor Bradley 7
Forced Flekken into one good save early on and stood up well to home threat down Liverpool right. Over with one shot second half. Subbed.
Ibrahima Konate 7
Hoodwinked by wind-up merchant Maupay a bit too often before break, but much more aggressive with defending second half.
Virgil van Dijk 8
Solid enough and helped Liverpool repel Brentford threat at set-pieces first half and initiated opener. No-nonsense when required after break and dominated in the air, hitting crossbar in injury time.
Andy Robertson 7
Raided forward in patches with crossing causing some panic. Defensively had to work hard to deal with Brentford counters at times but good engine.
Wataru Endo 8
Got away with handball at attacking set-piece first half but got through plenty of work in picking up second balls and grew in influence as Liverpool started to dominate. Won ball for key second goal. Booked.
Alexis Mac Allister 7
Tried to get Liverpool moving with some quick passing but guilty of giving away too many daft free-kicks. A lot more careful in second half and took goal brilliantly. Subbed.
Curtis Jones 7
Moments of great composure and attacking purpose before afternoon ended early through injury. Subbed.
Diogo Jota 7
Gave Liverpool real forward thrust and excellent flicked header sent Nunez away to score before becoming another who had to leave before half-time through injury. Subbed.
Darwin Nunez 7
Grew frustrated at lack of decent service and began dropping deep, but superb finish for the opener. Subbed.
Luis Diaz 8
Constantly drifted in from the left flank and direct running caused Brentford regular problems. Ability to run with and keep the ball crucial in stretching game second half, and deserved assist for Gakpo.
Ryan Gravenberch (for Jones 34) 7
Fitted in on the left of the midfield three, positionally disciplined and good part in second goal.
Mohamed Salah (for Jota 44) 8
Rustiness of first few touches soon disappeared with brilliant pass for second and composed finish for third. The Egyptian King is back.
Cody Gakpo (for Nunez 46) 8
Height helped Liverpool, not least when flick-on prompted third. Helped himself to fourth.
Harvey Elliott (for Mac Allister 83)
Forced Flekken into save with venomous free-kick.
Joe Gomez (for Bradley 83)
A shade unfortunate not to start and sparked the fourth.
