Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s win against Liverpool.
Keith Andrews stuck with the same starting XI in a 4-2-3-1. Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, and Ajer started on the backline. The double pivot consisted of Yarmoliuk and Henderson looking to continue their run of good form. Damsgaard drifting into the number 10 position with Schade and Ouattara on the wings. Thiago leading the line after scoring three goals in the past three matches.
Arne Slot rotated some players during their 5-1 victory midweek against Frankfurt in the Champions League. Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 saw Kerkez, van Dijk, Konate, and Conor Bradley on the backline. Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai started as the defensive midfielders with Wirtz floating ahead of them. Ekitike got the start up top with Gakpo and Salah looking to cause danger from the wings.
Brentford ended with 8 shots on target, the most recorded against Liverpool so far this season. Liverpool ended with 41 clearances, showing the havoc Brentford created, and not just from long throws.
Pundits may claim Brentford only score from set pieces and long throws, but the bees still created 1.48 xG from open play. Others may claim that Brentford only launch it long, but fail to mention Liverpool’s 87 long passes, the most for Liverpool this season.
The Bees did well to adjust after losing Yarmoliuk for the majority of the match, still ending with a team total 14 interceptions.
Kevin Schade not only grabbed a goal but had 5 key passes and somehow ended with 6 of 7 aerial duels won, a difficult feat for a winger against Liverpool (1st in aerial duel win percentage).
Kayode continued his good run of form, recording 6 shot creating actions, with teams still not able to adjust to his inverted progressive dribbles across the pitch.
