Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Brentford at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
Just before halftime, Salah scored the first goal. He took a pass from Darwin Nunez and put the ball past Mark Flekken.
Salah scored his ninth Premier League goal of the season with a nod from Kostas Tsimikas’ cross in the middle of the second half. It was also his tenth goal of the season.
Salah was great at home again, and he really should have had a hat-trick. Just before halftime, he volleyed over a great cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Diogo Jota then finished off another strong home performance with a powerful goal.
In the first half, Bryan Mbeumo had the best chance for Brentford. He raced through on goal, but Alexander-Arnold saved his chipped shot.
Liverpool now has 27 points, one more than Arsenal in second place, thanks to the win. Brentford, in 10th place, is now behind them on goal difference.
Liverpool may have fought hard to a 1-1 draw at Luton in their last Premier League game, but they have been great at home.
The Reds have won all six of their league games at Anfield this season, with an overall score of 17–2. Brentford had not won there since 1937, so they knew they would have a tough game.
To their credit, the Bees did a good job of setting up the game. They made Liverpool work hard early on and had chances on the break that could have led to the first goal if Mbeumo had been more sure of his finish.
But Salah has been playing great at home, and he kept up his scoring streak at Anfield with a calm finish six minutes before halftime. He then scored his second goal of the game, and his 10th in the Premier League this season, after the break.
With these goals, he became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score in all six of his team’s first home games. The others were Alan Shearer (1995–96 for Blackburn Rovers), Les Ferdinand (1995–96 for Newcastle United), and Thierry Henry (2004–05 for Arsenal).
Liverpool is very good at home, but they haven’t been as good on the road. In their last three league games away from home, they haven’t won any of them.
But Jurgen Klopp’s team is going to Manchester City next, a rivalry game, after the international break. This convincing win sets them up well as they try to prove they deserve the title when they go to Etihad Stadium.
Brentford had a terrible September in which they didn’t win a game. They came to Anfield in great shape, hoping to win their fourth straight Premier League game.
Given Liverpool’s home form, it was always going to be tough, but Thomas Frank’s team did a good job of setting up early on and had a few chances on the break that they might have taken better.
Liverpool’s first goal made them lose their defensive shape more, which the Reds took full advantage of. However, Brentford won’t be too upset about this loss because they are still in a good spot in the league going into the international break.
