Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has blamed the Reds’ 3-1 defeat to Brentford on glaring lapses that allowed the host “stretched the rules” in the game.
Liverpool were dealt a heavy blow in their pursuit of a top four finish after they failed easily to in-form Brentford, who have been leveling Premier League giants so far in the season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side made some inexcusable defensive blunders that saw the Bees inflict a heavy defeat on the team.
Ibrahim Konate set the tone for a bitter outcome after he nudged the ball into his own net to give the home side the lead. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo sank the Reds and killed any hope of a comeback with two successive goals to secure the lead.
While Liverpool gave a masterclass performance up-field, a shambolic defense left the Reds vulnerable, allowing Thomas Frank to secure another crucial three points against another Premier League heavyweight after wins over Manchester United and Manchester City.
How Liverpool suffered the shock defeat has gave Jurgen Klopp much worries than ever. Ibrahim Konate deflected into his own net after a corner kick from Mbeumo. It was same delivery that led to two first-half goals for Wissa that were both disallowed for offside.
While Liverpool failed woefully dealing with crosses from Brentford into the box, Jurgen Klopp has blamed the officials for not checking on Brentford’s apparent grappling and pushing in set pieces.
Klopp argued Brenford stretched and bent the rules with their rough and wild tackles on set pieces – something he believed the officials would have handled perfectly.
”They stretch the rules in these moments”, Klopp said. “They are really pushing, really holding. The refs…that’s obviously what you can do.”
The former Borussia Dortmund manager decried the chaotic scenes during set pieces that the referee could not spot and the Bees ended up going away with it.
”They stretch the rules in offensive set pieces”, he noted. “Don’t get me wrong it’s smart but they do. If you single out the situations you will find five fouls but it is so chaotic nobody sees it. But it is what they do and it is really good.”
He also objected to Mbeumo’s goal, sayiing he fouled Ibrahim Konate in the buildup.
‘The third was never a goal,’ he said. ‘A slight nudge will make you go down.’
On the other hand, Brentford boss Thomas Frank seemed to commend the referees for a perfect and spotless officiating during the game. Frank did not complain about the two disallowed goals.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said: ‘I guess we have some very good refs. We have four at the pitch and a VAR. It has never been more difficult to score a goal. We had two disallowed today.”
Frank was ecstatic after a third win in four, including a victory over Manchester City, and one achieved without the injured Ivan Toney.
Jurgen Klopp said: ‘These players keep impressing me, with their mentality, effort, will power, togetherness. It shouldn’t be possible in a way for Brentford to draw with Tottenham, win at City and beat Liverpool. But with big belief we did it.
‘We need to believe we can beat any team in the world and it is easier when we beat the bigger teams.’
Surprisingly, the Reds lost bearing in the game as they went 2-0 down in the first half of play.
Jurgen Klopp was forced to make three substitutions immediately after the first half, but nothing changed. Brentford held on and scored their third goal to secure the lead and run away with all three points.
Liverpool now faces a uphill task of making it to the top four. They can comfortably be ruled out of the Premier League title race.
