Konate unlucky as Van Dijk statement made
Were it not for the outstretched leg of Emiliano Martinez, Ibrahima Konate would still be revelling in his status as the man who set up the goal that clinched a dramatic second World Cup for France.
Instead, the centre-back was given a chastening reminder of why Liverpool have now gone seven Premier League games without a clean sheet.
If the absence of dangerous Brentford striker Ivan Toney would undoubtedly have come as a relief, the home side - as was seen in this fixture last season - offered plenty of other issues for the Liverpool defence, not least on set-pieces.
YOUR SHOUT: Rate the Liverpool players after the 3-1 defeat to Brentford
READ MORE: Liverpool 'exploring innovative £44m deal' to sign Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes
And it was Konate who unwittingly bookmarked this dire evening, first when a corner missed by Ben Mee struck him at close range before dribbling over the line for Brentford’s opener, and then in the closing moments when his slip allowed Bryan Mbeumo in for their game-clinching third.
In truth, Konate deserved better given he was Liverpool’s best defender, particularly during a tumultuous first half in which Virgil van Dijk struggled.
Indeed, it was quite the statement when the Dutchman, even allowing for a muscle niggle, was replaced by Joel Matip for a second half in which the Reds appeared much more composed defensively.
Perhaps his own World Cup exertions finally caught up with Van Dijk. But while the mainstay is far from finished after a rare blemish, Konate's overall display underlined why he is the future of the Liverpool defence.
Ox and Keita take chance but Elliott needs break
Even before this desperate showing, Jurgen Klopp would argue his squad are playing for their futures every time they step on to the field.
For some, though, the need is more pressing than others. And while extracting positives from this match will be almost as difficult as defending a Brentford corner, there were at least qualified encouragement from two players.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s persistence as a makeshift left-winger since the season restart was rewarded with a fine header for Liverpool’s goal, while Naby Keita provided energy and forward thrust for a spell after his half-time inclusion.
But that both are at present set to leave when their contracts expire at the end of the season is underlined by the following. Oxlade-Chamberlain, making his 100th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, was starting a third successive league match for the first time in almost three years. For Keita, meanwhile, it was only his fifth outing of the season.
While the duo deserve another crack over the coming weeks, Klopp would be wise to take Harvey Elliott out of the firing line, his tender years exposed by his part in Brentford’s wholly avoidable second goal. The youngster needs a breather.
Painful truths for Liverpool
Less than halfway through the Premier League season, and the steep dip in standard from Liverpool is laid bare by one glaring fact.
While Jurgen Klopp’s side dropped 22 points during the whole of the last campaign in finishing second to Manchester City, they have already given up 23 this time around.
Part of the reason for that is another poor statistic of the Reds having now conceded the first goal in 10 of their 17 top-flight outings.
And that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross for Liverpool’s goal was his first assist of the season underlines that, for all the talk of defensive wobbles and midfield woes, the Reds just aren’t taking their chances. How different it could have been had Darwin Nunez’s effort early on not been cleared off the line by Ben Mee.
Some perspective. There remain 21 Premier League games to go, and Klopp’s side are still only six points off third place.
But this defeats hurts. With Brighton and Hove Albion away and Chelsea at home the next two top-flight games, Liverpool’s immediate reaction is going to prove hugely instructive. What do you have, Reds?
READ NEXT:
FSG 'non-negotiable' position is under threat and it could set Liverpool back years
Jurgen Klopp explains early Virgil van Dijk substitution in Liverpool defeat at Brentford
Liverpool player ratings as Van Dijk, Tsimikas and Elliott awful at Brentford
Jamie Carragher gives damning half-time verdict that sums up Liverpool problems
Gakpo and Henderson absences explained as Liverpool line-up out for Brentford
