EPL

Klopp spares Salah after Liverpool's 'wild ride' at Brentford

By Sports Desk September 25, 2021

Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool's "wild ride" in the 3-3 draw at Brentford highlighted defensive shortcomings as he pardoned Mohamed Salah for missing a glorious late chance.

The visitors were 3-2 ahead in the 77th minute when Salah was presented by Sadio Mane with a one-on-one chance against Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.

The Egyptian striker, who earlier in the game reached 100 Premier League goals for Liverpool, this time shot a foot too high, just clearing the crossbar.

Klopp's fellow German Vitaly Janelt, playing in front of national team boss Hansi Flick, took advantage by scoring an equaliser five minutes later.

"These things happen. It's brilliant football. Mo scores usually in these situations, today not, but there's absolutely nothing to say about it," Klopp said.

"I really liked how we connected up front. We should have scored more. But if we win 3-2 or 4-3 we still have these struggles defensively, that's how it is."

He added: "I think Mo sees it the same way – he would love to have 101 today."

Salah reached the 100-goal mark in the fewest top-flight games by a Liverpool player, beating Roger Hunt's record of reaching the century in 152 appearances by one.

Klopp praised Brentford's front two of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo, saying they "did really well" and reflected that although his Liverpool side might have done enough to win, they could have little argument about the outcome.

"I'm not sure enjoy is the right word. It was a wild ride," Klopp said on Sky Sports.

"They deserved their three goals for the way they played. We obviously couldn't deal with that properly, with the long balls today."

He said Liverpool's defending at times was "not really satisfying" and was stuck for a reason why that was the case.

"We can do better in these situations, we just didn't today. But it was a spectacular game and Brentford deserved a point," Klopp said.

"We would have deserved to win because we had more chances than Brentford, but they deserved a point as well because they gave a proper fight. I respect that a lot."

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said he was "proud" of his players, promising they would be allowed to celebrate for the next 24 hours.

"We went head to head with one of the best three teams in the country, one of the best teams in Europe," he said, "and I think we got a well-earned point. We were very brave throughout the game.

"I think it summed up that both teams wanted to go for the win. At 3-3 it is a massive point against a top team, but we still tried to go for the win, and of course Liverpool will go for the win always."

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