Arne Slot loved a profitable Premier League begin at Anfield as targets from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah noticed Liverpool cruise to a simple victory over Brentford.
The Dutchman’s Liverpool report now reads two wins from two video games following final weekend’s 2-0 triumph at Ipswich City and, though his facet hardly ever reached their free-flowing greatest in opposition to the Bees, they all the time had sufficient in hand to hitch Manchester Metropolis, Brighton and Arsenal in holding a 100 per cent report after two video games.
Settling into the brand new residence 🏠
Arne Slot’s robust begin continues as @LFC put in a powerful efficiency at Anfield 🔴#TheKickOff | #LIVEBRE pic.twitter.com/R0JOHW4MKP
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Brentford, who had been once more with out striker Ivan Toney as he mulls over a transfer to Saudi Arabia, created little from open play however had been a relentless menace at set-pieces.
Diaz handed Liverpool an exciting opener after 13 minutes, ending a lightning break, and Salah notched his second of the season with 20 minutes to go to finish Brentford’s problem.
Slot’s Liverpool had been anticipated to focus extra on retaining possession and play with better management than they did beneath his predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
But, their opening objective was straight out of the Klopp playbook. It stemmed from a Brentford nook which Liverpool cleared so far as Jota, who launched a blistering counter assault with a darting run and a splendidly timed via ball for Diaz. The Colombia winger nonetheless had a lot to do however he made the end look straightforward, powering a left-footed end excessive previous Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
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Liverpool had been in whole command and solely a sensible save from Flekken denied Andy Robertson a second objective six minutes later.
Brentford steadily grew into the sport as Liverpool’s dominance waned, and so they must have equalised simply after the half-hour mark. Bryan Mbeumo whipped in a free-kick from the left and Christian Norgaard one way or the other did not make correct contact on his header from six yards out with the ball drifting broad.
The sport had began to change into scrappy because the half developed however either side had probabilities earlier than the interval – Trent Alexander-Arnold seeing a shot deflected over by Nathan Collins whereas Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was required to repel a shot from the full of life Keane Lewis-Potter.
If Brentford had been to get again into it, it appeared as if set-pieces can be their almost definitely supply of an equaliser.
They usually practically utilised that route 10 minutes into the second half, a nook routine ending with a Mathias Jensen cross that Collins met with a bullet header that flew straight at Alisson.
Republic of Eire centre-half Collins was having a busy afternoon and he excelled himself twice within the area of eight second-half minutes with sensible blocks to disclaim Jota with the Portugal worldwide seemingly poised to double Liverpool’s benefit.
The second objective did arrive, nonetheless, after 70 minutes.
Diaz labored area in midfield and picked out a beautiful cross for Salah and the Egypt star made no mistake by clipping his end over the advancing Flekken.
Substitute Cody Gakpo hit the bar as Liverpool went looking for a 3rd however, by then, the house facet had finished sufficient to see Slot off to the right begin.
