Jürgen Klopp’s last dance is being performed by weary limbs. Liverpool’s list of walking wounded continues to grow. If the given reason for Klopp’s departure is his running out of energy, he may also be running out of players. Victory at Brentford, retaining Liverpool’s leadership of the Premier League, came after injuries to important players in Curtis Jones, Darwin Núñez, goalscorer of an incisive opener, and Diogo Jota, provider for that Núñez goal.
At least Mohamed Salah, an emergency first-half substitute, is back in harness, supplying an assist for Alexis Mac Allister and then scoring Liverpool’s third. Klopp’s squad is stretched to its limits when Manchester City have Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne looking fresh as spring lambs.
Job done when Thomas Frank might have sensed blood from what resembled a Liverpool Carabao Cup selection, a week ahead of an appearance in this season’s final. Conor Bradley’s return from compassionate leave was timely in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold; the Northern Irishman continues to look a jewel of a find.
Before his first-half introduction, Salah was considered only fit enough for the bench after eight matches of absence in Africa and with injury. Liverpool began shakily. Twice down their right-hand side opportunities opened for Brentford, first for Vitaly Janelt and then Sergio Reguilón. Next, Neal Maupay chose to pass rather than shoot at goal.
Maupay did rather better when setting up Ivan Toney. His strike partner fluffed badly, the attempt barely dribbling past the post. A free-kick in a promising position was hit almost as softly by Toney. Still tamer, just as disappointing, was shooting straight at Caoimhín Kelleher when sent away for a one-on-one by Maupay. A further first-half chance also clattered wide, none of which was particularly positive advertising for an asset to be cashed out this summer.