Liverpool 1-0 Brentford: Mohamed Salah bags winner as Reds move within one point of Man United

Liverpool’s own Egyptian King, Mo Salah, became the first player to score in nine consecutive home games on an emotive day at Anfield.

Salah was the fox-in-the-box after 13 minutes to not only set up a sixth Liverpool on the trot but also set a barrage of personal records and milestones.

His nine-in-a-row in all competitions took him past Luis Suarez and 1920s legend Gordon Hodgson and it was also his eighth successive home league goal, equalling the club best of World Cup winner Roger Hunt and Fernando Torres.

In addition, it placed him joint-fifth with Steven Gerrard in the club’s all-time scorer’s list on 186.

Salah has scored some spectacular goals in his Reds career but this one was simplicity itself.

Mohamed Salah scored his 30th goal of the season, and 100th at Anfield, on Saturday as Liverpool beat Brentford 1-0

Bryan Mbeumo did put the ball in the net for the visitors after 39 minutes but it was later ruled out for offside

Trent Alexander-Arnold put in an excellent performance in his new hybrid role and hit some excellent passes, although he did make occasional defensive errors

Fabinho’s dink to the far post was headed across the box by Virgil van Dijk and Salah took a first touch with his studs before completing the job from no more than a couple of yards.

It was his 30th goal of the season – the fourth time he’s achieved that since arriving from Roma in 2017 – and wildly acclaimed by The Kop, who were already pumped up by furiously jeering the National Anthem on Coronation Day and then belting out their own anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Given the opposition inside the city to having God Save The King played before kick off, it was almost a relief when the game kicked off with Jurgen Klopp’s side enjoying their best spell of a generally modest season.

Salah’s early strike was needed against Brentford whose only past victory at Anfield came in 1937, also a coronation year, of King George VI.

Thomas Frank’s side arrived in the top half of the table and had already beaten Liverpool 3-1 at their place earlier in the season.

Unusually, Klopp named four forwards and it almost bore fruit when Darwin Nunez cut inside and launched a firm strike that David Raya had to beat away.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, again operating more centrally when his side were in possession, clipped a great ball to Nunez who couldn’t hit the target.

The visitors then enjoyed their first spell of pressure.

 Captain and top scorer Ivan Toney, who had scored with a low free-kick against Nottingham Forest last weekend, almost repeated the trick after 38 minutes with a shot that beat Alisson but also the far post.

Bryan Mbeumo then ran clear of van Dijk to slot home after 39 minutes but a lengthy VAR check decided he’d been offside when he made his move ahead of the Dutchman.

Toney’s hunger for goals showed itself at the start of the second half when he was penalised for heading the ball out of Alisson’s hands.

The more graceful side of the 20-goal striker’s game saw him play in Mbeumo with a terrific backheel that his strike partner wasted.

Cody Gakpo missed a sitter to put Liverpool 2-0 up. Diogo Jota drilled in a cross into the box but standing on the six-yard line, the Dutchman couldn’t twist his leg to find the right angle and the ball hit him and bounced wide.

Alexander-Arnold made his first defensive error to let a cross drop behind him and Rico Henry got in behind as Brentford pushed hard.

Liverpool took a physical approach in an attempt to nullify the Bees and received four yellow cards accordingly

Darwin Nunez had an excellent chance in the first half after a ball over the top from Alexander-Arnold but failed to put it away

Cody Gakpo also failed to finish a good opportunity after the break when he lashed a half volley well wide of the post 

Ivan Toney produced some brilliant pieces of skill but ultimately failed to have much of an impact on the game

Jurgen Klopp’s side have now won six Premier League games in a row and sit one point behind fourth place Manchester United

Sensing danger, Klopp sent on Luis Diaz for Nunez, and then skipper Jordan Henderson replaced Jota as the home side tried to tighten up.

Their discomfort was underlined when Alisson – who recorded his 100th clean sheet for Liverpool – was booked for timewasting 14 minutes from the end, delaying taking a goal-kick.

Alexander-Arnold forced a smart save from Raya with rocket from 25 yards. Gakpo then lashed at a half-volley which had power but lacked direction.

Of Liverpool’s six consecutive wins, the last five have been by a single goal. But grinding it out is proving profitable for Klopp’s side who are now only a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who play the first of their two games in hand at West Ham on Sunday evening.