Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, marking their fourth league loss of the season and extending a run of four straight defeats across competitions. Manager Arne Slot offered several mitigations for the poor form, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola remained optimistic about Liverpool's title chances despite recent setbacks.
Liverpool's struggles intensified at the Gtech Community Stadium, where they fell 3-2 to Brentford in a match that exposed defensive frailties and a lack of intensity. The Reds, who clinched the 2024-25 Premier League title with a relatively low 84 points—the lowest for a champion since Leicester City's 2015-16 triumph—conceded early, going 1-0 down after just five minutes. Brentford capitalized on Liverpool's errors, including a soft penalty awarded against Virgil van Dijk for contact with Dango Ouattara, upgraded by VAR as occurring on the line.
Slot highlighted several factors post-match, insisting they were not excuses but realities affecting the team. "Of the last six games we’ve played, there have been five away, something that is not helpful if you’re on the run of form we’re on," he said. He also pointed to a quick turnaround from a midweek Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt, noting only two days' rest, and summer squad changes, including sales of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah, and Caoimhin Kelleher. New signings like Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz have underperformed, with Kerkez appearing panicked and Wirtz bullied out of possession.
The match saw Liverpool spurn chances, including a denied penalty claim when Nathan Collins blocked Cody Gakpo in the box, and fail to register a shot for 20 minutes after halftime. Brentford's physical style, direct play, long throws from Michael Kayode, and set pieces overwhelmed the visitors, who repeatedly put the ball out of play under pressure. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made two stunning saves but could not prevent the loss.
This defeat follows losses to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Galatasaray, leaving Liverpool's defense of their crown hanging by a thread. Despite the dip, Guardiola praised their underlying quality, saying after City's preparations for Aston Villa, "I have the feeling now that Arsenal is not going to drop much points... I have that feeling with Arsenal, with Liverpool as well." He dismissed recent losses, noting Liverpool's chances created against Manchester United: "The distance, three, four points at this stage is nothing." Guardiola sarcastically addressed City's own aspirations but affirmed, "Hopefully we can be there," while tipping both Liverpool and Arsenal as favorites, alongside potentially another team.