Liverpool 1 Brentford 0: Salah bundles home only goal as Klopp’s men keep slim Champions League hopes alive
LIVERPOOL fans will never grow tired of paying tribute to ‘the Egyptian King’.
The Kop made their feelings known about the national anthem played before kick-off to mark the Coronation of Charles III.
But as they have done so often over the last six years, they sang their songs about Mohammed Salah with real gusto.
The former Roma striker’s 13th-minute goal was enough to give his team a sixth successive victory in the Prem.
But it also saw him enter the club’s history books yet again – and cemented his place as Anfield royalty.
He became the first player in their illustrious history to score in nine successive home games.
It was also the 100th time he has found the net at the stadium which has been his home since summer 2017.
And to complete a trio of achievements, it also pulled him level with legendary former skipper Steven Gerrard in the list of all-time Liverpool goalscorers.
Just where would they be without him this season – or in a few others for that matter?
Out of the race for Champions League football for sure. Yet this run of wins has given the Reds an outside chance of securing a top-four finish.
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Manchester United’s stoppage-time defeat at Brighton on Thursday night also boosted their hopes of sneaking back on to Europe’s top table next season.
And if the Red Devils slip up against West Ham tomorrow, then Klopp’s men might just start to believe again.
Liverpool last lost a home match against the Bees back in 1937 so it was no surprise they were confident going into this one.
Yet when the two teams met in West London in January, Thomas Frank’s men ran out 3-1 winners.
And Brentford have not given up hope of securing an unlikely European spot themselves this season.
So Liverpool were looking to seize the initiative early and thanks to Salah, they were ahead in the 13th minute.
Fabinho’s cross from the right found Virgil Van Dijk at the back post and he cushioned a header back into the danger zone.
Salah needed two bites at it but eventually forced it past David Raya – and after a quick VAR check for offside, the goal stood.
No wonder the 30-year-old wore a huge smile. Last time he failed to score in a game here was way back on January 21.
His 186th goal for the Reds equals Gerrard’s tally – and only four players have ever scored more for this club.
Liverpool looked in the mood and should have doubled their lead as Trent Alexander Arnold’s cross from the right found Darwin Nunez at the back post.
The Uruguayan did not get the connection he wanted and sliced his shot wide – typical of the way things have gone for him too often this season.
Brentford had hung in there early on and began to battle their way back into the game.
Ivan Toney was catching the eye and his low 25-yard free-kick had Alisson stretching but drifted just wide of the post.
Then the England hopeful sent a long pass which saw Bryan Mbeumo get the wrong side of Van Dijk before racing clear to score in some style.
Yet the visitors’ celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag and this time VAR confirmed he had got it right.
But Frank would have been encouraged by the way his team finished the first half as they were starting to open the home side up.
Just after the re-start they did it again as Rico Henry found some space in behind but blasted his effort off target.
Liverpool should have wrapped up the points soon afterwards as Salah’s pass sent Diogo Jota away and his cross found Cody Gakpo.
The Dutch international looked a certain scorer but the ball hit him and diverted wide.
So the game was still very much in the balance and just after the hour mark Klopp threw on Luis Diaz to try to finish it.
Jordan Henderson was also introduced as the nerves were beginning to jangle in the home side – while James Milner joined him for what could be one of his last appearances at Anfield.
The former Leeds midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Brighton this summer.
The changes perked up the home side and Alexander-Arnold saw one shot blocked after some neat build-up play then brought a flying save out of Raya.
Salah picked the pocket of Aaron Hickey and laid the ball off for Gakpo who blazed his effort wide.
Like against Fulham in midweek, it was far from vintage from Klopp’s men.
But Alisson did not need to work hard enough to secure a 100th clean sheet for the Reds as his team-mates kept the visitors at arm’s length.
Here’s how the action unfolded at Anfield…