Thomas Frank masterminded another famous Brentford victory over Liverpool
(Picture: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Thomas Frank believes Brentford fans have every right to dream of Europe after watching their side climb to seventh in the Premier League table - but says he is only focusing on one game at a time.
The Bees claimed yet another famous scalp as they beat Liverpool 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Monday night, climbing above the likes of Chelsea, Fulham and Brighton into what could, come the end of the season, be a Europa Conference League qualifying position.
Brentford are now unbeaten in six League games, the last four of which have seen them take three wins and a draw from meetings with Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham - all of whom are playing in Uefa competition this term.
Asked whether aiming for European football next season was realistic, Frank said: “I hope the fans dream big and I hope the players do as well but we are very realistic that this is a relentless league.
“Two injuries to David Raya and Ivan Toney or Christian Norgaard and some of the key players, like any other team, we could struggle a bit, even though we have good replacements.
“Today, 100 per cent, it’s my rule of 24 hours of celebrating it and I will get a good glass of red or a beer tonight but then that laser focus on the next game.
“We will try to end as high as possible but if we get drifted away from what is the main thing and not do everything perfect then we don’t have a chance.”
Frank reserved special praise for forward Yoane Wissa, who scored once and had two more efforts disallowed against Liverpool after being drafted in to lead the line in place of the injured Ivan Toney.
“It’s so impressive that we managed to [win without Toney],” Frank said. “But also a lot of credit to the rest of the players and particularly Yoane Wissa.
“He’s our second top scorer in the Premier League but is in a position where, when I play with two strikers, it’s Ivan and Bryan (Mbeumo), the dynamic duo, and it’s difficult for him to force his way in.
“But every time he comes in, he scores - that’s a pretty good ability, to have that. I’m so pleased for him and I’ll praise him a lot in front of the players tomorrow.”
