Kevin Schade scored six minutes after Curtis Jones had given Liverpool the lead as Brentford earned a 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield.
Liverpool controlled possession and registered 19 shots, but Jones’s 58th-minute goal was their only reward.
Brentford responded quickly through Schade in the 64th minute before resisting sustained Liverpool pressure during the closing stages.
Liverpool control a goalless first half
Liverpool dominated possession during the opening half but struggled to turn their control into clear chances.
Ryan Gravenberch tried his luck from around 20 metres in the 19th minute, but his effort travelled high and wide.
Mohamed Salah went closer one minute later. Alexis Mac Allister found the forward inside the attacking area, but his shot towards the top corner was saved.
Brentford remained disciplined without the ball and limited Liverpool’s opportunities despite spending long periods inside their own half.
The visitors also looked for chances from attacking free kicks and throw-ins, but neither side found the breakthrough before half-time.
Jones gives Liverpool the lead
Liverpool increased the pressure after the restart.
Cody Gakpo saw a deflected attempt travel over the target in the 49th minute before Jones finally broke Brentford’s resistance nine minutes later.
Salah provided the assist, with Jones converting to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead.
The goal appeared to confirm Liverpool’s growing control. The hosts had more possession, completed more passes and continued pushing Brentford towards their own penalty area.
Their advantage lasted only six minutes.
Schade delivers Brentford’s response
Schade equalised in the 64th minute, bringing Brentford level with one of their few clear attacking opportunities.
The visitors finished with eight shots and only two on target, but Schade’s finish ensured they made their limited opportunities count.
Liverpool responded by introducing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong for Rio Ngumoha and Salah in the 73rd minute.
Milos Kerkez and Trey Nyoni were added nine minutes later as Liverpool continued searching for a second goal.
Brentford made defensive and midfield changes of their own, with Aaron Hickey and Mikkel Damsgaard among those introduced as the visitors attempted to protect the point.
Brentford withstand late Liverpool pressure
Liverpool pushed forward throughout the closing stages but could not restore their lead.
Virgil van Dijk sent an effort wide in the 89th minute before Wirtz was presented with another opportunity deep into added time.
Dominik Szoboszlai found Wirtz inside the area, but the midfielder’s right-footed shot travelled away from goal.
Brentford still carried a threat on the counterattack. Dango Ouattara had the final attempt of the match in the 100th minute, although his effort missed the target.
The visitors survived more than 10 minutes of added time to leave Anfield with a point.
Liverpool dominance goes unrewarded
Liverpool finished with 61 per cent possession and completed 497 passes at an accuracy of 89 per cent.
They attempted 19 shots and won 14 corners, while Brentford managed eight attempts and only two corners.
However, Liverpool tested the goalkeeper just five times. Their inability to convert control into enough clear chances allowed Brentford to remain in the contest.
Schade’s equaliser punished that lack of efficiency and secured a result that left Liverpool fifth and Brentford ninth in the Premier League table.
Liverpool vs Brentford statistics
| Statistic | Liverpool | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Shots | 19 | 8 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 2 |
| Passes | 497 | 333 |
| Pass accuracy | 89% | 79% |
| Corners | 14 | 2 |
| Fouls | 9 | 9 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 3 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 1 | 0 |
