Arne Slot’s first official engagement at Anfield as Liverpool manager was a successful one as his side beat Brentford 2-0 on Sunday.
The Reds dominated an interesting match and recorded their second win in two Premier League games this season thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mo Salah.
Club legend Salah has been directly involved in 128 goals in 128 Premier League games at Anfield for Liverpool – 93 goals, plus 35 assists.
LEWIS STEELE was at Anfield for Mail Sport on Sunday and picked Luis Diaz as man of the match.
Read on to learn the rest of his ratings as a player.
Mo Salah pictured celebrating after scoring Liverpool’s second goal in their win over Brentford
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Alisson 7
He barely had time to make a save until the final seconds of the first half, when Lewis-Potter fired home a powerful save. It was an easy save, but Alisson did well not to divert the ball towards Wissa, who was lurking intently. Collins made a fine reflex save in the 56th minute.
Trento Alexander Arnold 7
He had to make some important defensive actions when Lewis-Potter ran at him. Alexander-Arnold also made some lovely passes, including a camouflaged pass to Salah in the first half.
Ibrahima Attempt 8
He came on for Jarell Quansah after replacing the youngster at half-time last week. The big Frenchman won the header from a Brentford corner that led to Liverpool’s opening goal on the counter-attack. He made several other important interceptions. Competition for places is healthy.
Virgil Va Dijk 7
He also had to use his head to make some decisive interventions. He led the team well and got past Wissa and Mbeumo.
TOnow Robertson 8
It was revealed this week that he is playing “pain-free” for the first time in five months and it shows. Some fans think Robertson’s best days are behind him but this was a strong performance from the Scotland captain, who consistently created danger when he attacked.
Reds left-back Andy Robertson (centre) produced two shots, three key passes and six crosses.
Ryan Gravenberch 6.5 (Reserved)
He is still learning the role of No. 6, so it would be harsh to criticise the Dutchman too much. But he often took too long to get on the ball and was outplayed by Brentford’s midfielders on several occasions. However, he made some good passes, broke through the lines and started attacks.
Alexis Mac Allister 6.5
He did a good job defensively but did not have his usual influence on the offensive game.
Muhammad Salat 8
He looks in great shape after a good rest and training regime over the summer. He came close on several occasions and was unlucky not to score, having been denied by Flekken more than once. He finally got his goal with a precise finish midway through the second half.
Dominick Szoboszlai – 7.5 (Reserved)
He seems to be in better form than last year. The Hungarian captain had some lovely touches in attack and could easily have opened his account for the season. More satisfying was his defensive work with several gruelling recovery runs.
Luis Diaz 8.5
A precise finish to open the scoring. It’s been said many times, but if Diaz can add more goals to his game, he has all the tools to be an elite striker. The Colombian then provided the assist for Salah’s goal and capped off a man-of-the-match performance.
Star winger Luis Diaz scored Liverpool’s first goal and then provided the assist for the second.
Diogo Jack 7
He started the season well and added to his tally at Ipswich with a fine assist for Diaz’s opener. He made the pass at the perfect time and with the right weight.
Substitutes
Cody Gakpo (for Diaz, 72) 6
Darwin Nunez (for Jota, 72) 6
Conor Bradley (for Alexander-Arnold, 72) 6
Harvey Elliot (for Salah, 83)
Wataru Endo (for Gravenberch, 90+1)
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah.
Brentford (4-3-3)
Brand Flekken 7.5
Could he have closed the angle better for Diaz’s opener? It is perhaps harsh to suggest that given the ferocity of the finish, but it looked as though he could have tried better. He made up for it with a series of excellent saves, for example, twice denying Robertson.
Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken (left) was beaten twice but also made six saves.
Mads Rörslev 6
He struggled against Diaz on that end, but made some good contributions on offense as the first half progressed.
Ethan Pinocchio 7
Barley made a mistake in the first half and cannot be blamed for his team’s strategy for the first goal, which left them undefended from their own corner. Excellent block to deny Diaz a second goal in the 49th minute.
Nathan Collins 6.5
Kept Jota fairly quiet early on and made a vital block to keep out Alexander-Arnold’s powerful shot in the first half. He was unlucky with a powerful header at the other end shortly after the break.
Christopher 7th of yesterday
A right-footed centre-back who plays as a left-back, he deserves a lot of credit for how he adapted and enjoyed his battle with Salah.
Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer (back) and Salah (front) pictured battling for the ball
Vitaly Janelt 6
Lost possession too easily in an unclear foul on the edge of the Liverpool area that led to the opening goal.
Matthias Jensen 6 (Reserved)
A tough tackle on Mac Allister earned him a yellow card. He moved with great energy in the centre of the field.
Christian Norgaard 6 (Reserved)
He was also booked for a poorly timed challenge. He led the attack from the back and squandered Brentford’s best chance of the first half when he headed narrowly wide in the 32nd minute. He should have done better.
Bryan Mbeumo-6.5
A beautiful free-kick for the aforementioned opportunity from Norgaard in the first half. It gave his team a boost on the counter-attack.
Yoane Wissa 5
He didn’t have enough impact on the game in the first half, with just 16 touches. However, he made some important defensive contributions.
Keane Lewis Potter 6
He opted for Salah on that side with a solid defensive switch. Alisson saved a shot well towards the end of the first half and had some good runs.
Substitutes
Mikkel Damsgaard (for Lewis-Potter, 65) 6
Fabio Carvalho (for Jensen, 65 years old) 6
Frank Onyeka (for Janelt, 73) 6
Kevin Schade (for Wissa, 73) 6
Unused Subs: Hakon Valdimarsson, Ben Mee, Ryan Trevitt, Sepp van den Berg, Yehor Yarmolyuk.
