Tactical Analysis: How Liverpool Broke Down Brentford Defence | OneFootball

Massive Win in Stoppage Time: Liverpool Edge Brentford

Liverpool pulled off a critical three-point victory against Brentford in London, a match that was anything but straightforward. With Arsenal’s draw against Aston Villa, Liverpool extended their lead to six points in the Premier League table, with a game in hand against Everton. Playing at 3 pm on a Saturday — a rare treat — required me to rely on a VPN to catch the action on a U.S. feed. It all seemed like wasted chances until Darwin Núñez stepped up to script a heroic finish.

Dominance in Numbers and Breaking Records

Liverpool’s performance was nothing short of relentless. They amassed 36 shots, the most by any away team in the Premier League since 2003-04, and recorded an xG of 4.34 compared to Brentford’s meagre 0.66. The stats underlined Liverpool’s dominance, even though the decisive moment came late in the game.

This attacking onslaught saw 19 shots from the “danger zone” — an extraordinary feat. Liverpool’s ability to create such volume highlighted their tactical supremacy in the final third.

Tactical Precision Through Half-Spaces

Trent Alexander-Arnold was instrumental, delivering one of his finest performances of the season. Completing 51 of 61 passes with an 80% success rate on long balls, his distribution reflected a mix of switches, diagonals, and vertical passes to forwards. Defensively, his recovery runs ensured balance despite his attacking duties.

Liverpool’s use of both half-spaces disorganised Brentford’s defensive shape. Their high volume of expected threat (xT) creation from multiple zones on the pitch emphasised their ability to stretch the opposition.

Relentless Pressing and Defensive Strength

Liverpool’s high press forced Brentford to retreat deep into their own penalty area. Passes came from the wings, half-spaces, and central areas, hemming Brentford into a defensive shell.

Ibrahima Konaté was at his commanding best, leading Liverpool’s defensive efforts with a remarkable number of recoveries. His presence compensated for Alexander-Arnold’s advanced role.

Dominik Szoboszlai put in a tireless shift, despite being substituted late on. However, the midfield trio’s bookings highlighted the physical intensity of the contest.

Clinical Efficiency Despite Stubborn Resistance

Liverpool’s shot map revealed a balance of long-range efforts and an astonishing 23 shots from within the penalty area. Though Brentford’s defenders and goalkeeper often blocked Liverpool’s efforts, the average shot quality of 12.1% underscores the persistent threat posed by the visitors.

Brentford’s counter-attacking chances were limited, producing only three shots from the danger zone, all of low quality. Their average shot quality was a mere 7.33%, highlighting Liverpool’s defensive solidity.

Van Dijk’s Masterclass and Liverpool’s Late Breakthrough

In a game where Liverpool pressed high and pushed their defensive line forward, one of the standout performers was Virgil van Dijk. His presence and composure were crucial in negating Brentford’s counter-attacking threat, particularly the pace of Bryan Mbeumo.

Van Dijk vs Mbeumo: A Defensive Duel

Bryan Mbeumo’s speed and positioning tested Liverpool’s defensive resolve early in the match. Mbeumo managed to win a duel against Van Dijk, forcing the Dutchman into a recovery run.

Van Dijk, however, showcased his athleticism, making up significant ground and timing his challenge perfectly. He not only dispossessed Mbeumo but used his body to shield the ball, allowing his teammates to regain possession.

These moments underlined why Van Dijk remains one of the Premier League’s finest defenders. His awareness and ability to recover during high-pressure situations kept Brentford’s counter-attacks at bay.

Unlocking Brentford’s Defensive Block

Despite Liverpool’s dominance, the score remained 0-0 as the game entered the 90th minute. Brentford’s defensive strategy of packing ten outfield players into their defensive third created a formidable barrier.

Liverpool needed a moment of brilliance to break through, and it came courtesy of Trent Alexander-Arnold. After Federico Chiesa’s cross was cleared, Alexander-Arnold picked up the loose ball. In a high-stakes 3v3 situation, his technical quality and vision came to the fore.

Alexander-Arnold and Núñez Deliver

Alexander-Arnold passed the ball to Harvey Elliott, who held his position intelligently. Salah’s movement pinned Brentford’s left-back, creating space for Alexander-Arnold to make an overlapping run.

Even after his first cross was blocked, Alexander-Arnold’s determination was evident. His quick thinking and second delivery found Darwin Núñez in the box. Núñez’s sharp movement and clinical finish gave Liverpool the lead they had worked tirelessly for.

Among the many qualities Liverpool displayed in this sequence—conditioning, technical ability, and mental sharpness—it was their persistence that stood out.

Núñez’s Redemption Arc

As if one goal wasn’t enough, Núñez struck again just minutes later. The Uruguayan, often the target of opposing fans’ criticism, silenced the doubters with a performance that emphasised his resilience and quality

For a player frequently under the spotlight, this was a defining moment. Núñez’s brace not only secured the victory but added a personal triumph to an afternoon where Liverpool’s persistence ultimately paid off.

Final Word

This rare Saturday 3 pm kick-off turned into a spectacle of persistence, skill, and determination. Darwin Núñez’s late heroics brought the deserved reward for Liverpool, emphasising the value of their relentless attacking and cohesive defence. The contributions of Mark Matrai (@MatraiMark) and xfb Analytics added depth to this tactical narrative.