Liverpool’s Structural Issues Are Turning Results Into a Crisis
Tactical breakdown of Liverpool’s repeated defensive failings and Brentford’s ruthless execution.
Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at Brentford was not a blip. It was another chapter in a growing tactical crisis. This is no longer about individual errors or tough away fixtures. Nine games into the Premier League season, Liverpool are stuck in patterns they cannot break. Brentford did not win because they were brilliant. They won because Liverpool let them.
Slot knew what was coming. He said it himself. “It’s hard to win if they win more duels and second balls, especially if that’s something they’re playing off.” But knowing is not enough. Liverpool’s defending champions are four straight league defeats deep and the tactical flaws that underpin these results are now fully exposed.
Brentford’s Plan Was Simple, But Liverpool Could Not Handle It
Brentford were direct. Kayode’s long throws were aimed at Ajer and Collins, Liverpool knew it. They trained for it. Yet they still collapsed inside five minutes.
Michael Kayode launched a long throw, Kristoffer Ajer flicked it on, and Dango Ouattara converted. Liverpool were 1-0 down before they had touched the ball with intent. Milos Kerkez lost his man at the back post. This was not new. It mirrored Crystal Palace’s late winner last month and Galatasaray’s penalty in Istanbul. Liverpool are leaking the same types of goals, repeatedly.
Brentford leaned on second phases and restarts. Liverpool were warned, but could not respond. They lost key aerial battles and looked disorganised every time the ball was in the air. But physically, they did not lose because they were outworked.
Liverpool won more duels (63 to 59)
More ground duels (37 to 32)
More successful dribbles (9 to 7)
It wasn’t intensity that was lacking, it was structure.
Even Liverpool’s pressing shape fell apart. Konaté won the first long ball from Kelleher after 90 seconds, but Brentford picked up the second ball, turned it into pressure and repeated that cycle. Within six minutes, they had exposed Mamardashvili twice. Liverpool looked unprepared, mentally and tactically.