This could easily have become the afternoon where talk was dominated by those who weren’t there come the final whistle for Liverpool.
But as long as one player in particular is fit and available, the Reds will always have a chance of ensuring Jurgen Klopp’s farewell has a silver lining.
The return of Mohamed Salah, even if it was earlier than anyone would have wanted, was the spark for Liverpool to overcome increasing odds and send a resounding statement to their Premier League title rivals with a comprehensive win at Brentford.
Salah, back after eight games missing first through international duty and then injury, created one goal and scored another as the Reds took the game away from Brentford during a stirring second-half performance.
The two chances the Egyptian had spurned having been thrust into the action following an injury to Diogo Jota were all he required to shake off any ring-rust, first laying on a goal for Alexis Mac Allister with a sumptuous pass and then demonstrating trademark instinct to prompt confusion in the Brentford defence and tuck away his 19th goal of the season.
It meant the away end were going through their songbook during the closing stages rather than, as has previously been the case at this stadium, either gnawing away at their fingernails or berating a damaging setback. What should have been an uncomfortable afternoon for Liverpool ultimately proved the polar opposite.
With Curtis Jones having also departed early and Alisson Becker forced to miss out altogether after an injury, Liverpool demonstrated the resilience Klopp has recently praised and that ensured a continued strong response after the rare setback at Arsenal a fortnight ago.
And the Reds boss and his coaching staff also deserve credit for this victory. No doubt mindful of past experience here, Liverpool did a number on the Bees, drawing the sting from their threat after overcoming a slightly shaky opening. Brentford, resurgent of late, were well beaten.
Key to that was the manner in which the Reds swiftly got to grips with Brentford’s attacking threat. Ivan Toney, save his late consolation strike, was largely subdued, with Virgil van Dijk marking his 250th Liverpool appearance with a dominant display, particularly in the air.
In front of him, the persistence and tenacity of Wataru Endo allowed the Reds to largely neuter Brentford’s threat from picking up second balls, while Luis Diaz’s relentless running down the left flank and when pushing inside meant the home side were regularly stretched to breaking point in the second half.
Those injuries, though, will linger. Both Jones and Jota boarded the team coach on crutches – the former wearing a protective boot on his left foot, the latter with his left leg in a brace – although Darwin Nunez, who was replaced at half-time as a precaution, appeared to be walking freely.
Jones was hurt during a challenge with Sergio Reguilon, while Jota sustained his problem when fallen on by Christian Norgaard. While neither was intended, some of the Brentford tackling agitated the away dugout – Klopp had his head in his hands after one foul on Conor Bradley – so it’s remarkable the home side were adjudged to have committed just four fouls compared to a whopping 16 by Liverpool.
Any extended time out for the duo will hurt the Reds, with Jones having become integral in the midfield and Jota’s ruthlessness so crucial during Salah’s absence.
