You often hear people say that football is a funny game, and I am inclined to believe them after last weekend. In a game which descended into ever greater chaos as it wore on, the Bees did themselves proud despite falling to their first defeat of the new season. Matt Milne shares his thoughts on the Bees’ chances this weekend.

It all started so well. Having picked up a well-earned point up at Villa Park and being on an eight-game unbeaten run, we looked full of confidence as we stroked the ball around at the back, trying to avoid the best attentions of Liverpool’s high press in an attempt to get in behind their back line.

In a tight first half, it felt very much like a case of ‘we attack, you attack’, with neither team dominating possession or chances in a very even game between two good teams. Both goalkeepers had little to do, as the defences came very much out on top and big chances were kept to a minimum, apart from Bradley Barcola’s scuffed finish wide when sent through on goal. We created the odd half-chance, but it felt like we were still stuck in first or second gear.

Of those who started up front, I thought Jaidon Anthony looked the most impressive. He worked hard defensively, was lively and energetic, and constantly posed a real threat when going forward. Meanwhile, on the opposite flank, Dango Ouattara started slowly and initially proved ineffective, as has been the case for much of his time with the Bees. It must be said, though, that we hardly tried to find him, instead focusing on getting Anthony on the ball and attacking the space we had created for him out wide. However, as the half progressed, Ouattara soon grew into the game, started getting on the ball and taking his full-back on more often and, in the end, was unlucky to be taken off at half-time.

Thiago began the match in his customary position as central striker, but he appears to be badly lacking in confidence at present. After a very successful campaign for the Brazilian striker last year, opposition defences have marked him out of the game in almost every match so far this season, thus limiting his chances in front of goal and forcing us to rely more on Schade and Anthony in our front line. It is vital that our coaching team come up with a strategy to increase Thiago’s involvement in games and create far more chances for the Bees’ number nine, as he looks lost at the moment. Perhaps Callum Wilson could have come on to replace him towards the end.

Thiago did, however, produce the delicious cross which helped put the Bees ahead. Sepp van den Berg quickly recycled possession from a rushed Liverpool clearance before finding Thiago with a terrific first-time ball. Thiago then located Keane Lewis-Potter with a superb curling delivery, and the left-back steered his header masterfully away from Alisson and into the top corner to send us into a 1–0 lead.

With half-time approaching, Liverpool won a few corners in quick succession. From one of them, midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk made a very slight headbutting motion towards Jacquet, which led to the French defender going down as if he had been shot and a subsequent red card for the Ukrainian, who had been putting in a solid performance up until then. It was a harsh punishment which put us well and truly on the back foot for the second half. Nevertheless, Yarmoliuk’s action was senseless, bordering on ridiculous — why give the referee a decision to make?

Come the second half, we came out looking pumped up and started the first 15 minutes very well, buoyed by the excellent atmosphere being created in the stands. We played in Liverpool’s half, won a couple of long throws and tried our best to put pressure on the Reds’ back line in an attempt to get what would have been a crucial second goal.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, and we were soon punished for leaving too many players up the field as Liverpool countered on the hour mark, with KLP getting caught out in behind and Victor Muñoz’s composed finish breaking our resistance. That goal really changed the dynamics of the game, and from then on, it felt like a matter of time before Liverpool scored again. Just a few minutes later, we afforded Mac Allister far too much time on the edge of the box to send in a cross, which was headed down at the back post to Isak. The Swedish striker duly provided the finish, despite Lewis-Potter’s best efforts on the line, to put the men from Merseyside ahead. Defensively, we were too slow to react, and even though we were down to ten men, I would argue that it was an entirely avoidable goal to concede.

We looked less of a threat once Liverpool took the lead, as they soon began trying to take control of the game and could have added more to the scoreline as the match drew towards its conclusion. Our back line did extremely well on several occasions to desperately get back into position and snuff out the Reds’ attacks with some magnificent last-ditch defending to help keep us in the game.

Yet, other than Thiago’s missed tap-in just yards from goal, we were unable to create another big chance, despite Liverpool’s constant unsteadiness at the back. By the time the hard-grafting Vitaly Janelt brought Rio Ngumoha down on the edge of the area, earning his second yellow card and resulting in our second red card of the afternoon, the match was over. It was a needless pull-back from Janelt, who we will badly miss for our visit to Hull. I would have preferred to lose 3–1 rather than have Vitaly out for that important game against the Tigers.

At the final whistle, every Bees player — even the substitutes who had little impact on the game — looked exhausted. We had given it our all in a brave performance. Overall, I was extremely proud of the way we played in incredibly challenging circumstances, rather than disappointed at losing our unbeaten run. If we had kept eleven men on the pitch, I dare say we would most certainly have preserved at least a point, if not gone on to win it.

For Danish midfielder Mathias Jensen, it was his first start for the Bees in almost two months, having suffered an injury in training just before the home draw with Sunderland. On his return to the starting XI, he (rather unsurprisingly) looked slow, leggy and ponderous on the ball — perhaps it would have been better to start Sangaré or even Carvalho in his place. Nonetheless, I am sure it won’t take Jensen long to get back to top form, and when he does, he will prove a very valuable asset for us.

Kayode was full of energy yet again, cutting out several dangerous balls in behind and making several of his trademark marauding runs during the match — something we have seen little of at the start of this season. He also helped bring Ouattara into play as the first half went on. Ajer was his usual reliable self and defended well throughout the match alongside his defensive partner, van den Berg, who looked a little rusty at times but, all in all, gave a good account of himself against his former side.

KLP was much quieter than usual, probably because he didn’t get forward as much, instead concentrating on keeping out the impressive Muñoz. However, he took his goal superbly with a really calm finish. Kelleher couldn’t have done anything about either goal and smartly kept out a few rasping efforts as the minutes ticked down.

This Sunday, we head up to the East Riding of Yorkshire to take on the Tigers. At the start of the season, I thought this would be a simple victory for the Bees. Yet Hull have turned out to be one of the surprise packages of the season to date. They are defensively solid, aim to hit you on the counter-attack and are often very clinical in attack. Despite being under a transfer embargo the summer before last, they stunned the Championship in 2025–26 to claim their place in the top flight, despite scoring ten more goals than their xG suggested they would. It must also be said that their Serbian manager, Sergej Jakirović, has worked wonders to get Hull where they are now.

During the summer, they spent big to bring in 13 signings and have made a brilliant start to their campaign, stunning Manchester United in their opening game and earning hard-fought draws against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton. They are still unbeaten at home, too.

Nevertheless, this feels like one of those games where, if we want to be in the European conversation this season, we need to win or, at the very least, pick up a point.

Our attacking players will need to be at their very best to help us break down Hull’s sturdy back line, as well as being sharp in front of goal, as we may not get many chances. Schade and Anthony’s pace in behind might well be vital, as might the contributions of attacking full-backs KLP (on his return to his hometown club) and Kayode, whose trickery could reap rewards in forward areas.

Sangaré could be crucial, too, especially with Yarmoliuk and Janelt out, and will need to have a big game in defensive midfield to help stifle Hull’s counter-attacking threat. It may also be pertinent to leave a few players back in defence to further guard against the Tigers’ dangerous transitions.

The first goal could prove extremely important and might decide the way the match swings. I am also quite optimistic that we will see a reaction to the Liverpool defeat last weekend and, hopefully, earn our first away victory of the campaign — although I am not expecting it to be easy.

COYB!!!

Matt Milne