Liverpool 3-0 Brentford: Player ratings as Bees gift Reds easy win

Liverpool strolled to an easy win on Sunday afternoon as goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino helped them see off a poor Brentford side at Anfield.

The Reds huffed and puffed throughout the first half, struggling to break down the visitors' defence before the opener was gifted to them just before half time.

Some slack Bees defending allowed Fabinho to creep in at the back post and nod in Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner which had been allowed to bounce in the box.

While the hosts looked a little lost at times up front without AFCON duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, their relentless possession and pressure eventually told as they took a 2-0 lead thanks to Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Andy Robertson's cross was met with a dawdling response from Brentford's defence, allowing Oxlade-Chamberlain to get in behind Ethan Pinnock and head in.

Brentford didn't have too many opportunities - Bryan Mbeumo curled their best chance wide of Alisson's goal - and they contributed to their own downfall as the Reds sealed all three points with an embarrassingly easy goal.

Thomas Frank's side carelessly gifted Liverpool the ball in their own box while trying to play out from the back, allowing substitute Minamino to convert from close range.

The win puts Liverpool up to second in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Manchester City, while Brentford are down in 14th, ten points above the relegation zone.

Liverpool player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Alisson (GK) - 6/10 - Caught a couple of crosses but only had one save to make.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) - 8/10 - Fired off a few dangerous shots in the opening stages. Bagged an assist for Fabinho's header and was typically creative throughout.

Joel Matip (CB) - 7/10 - Dealt well with the speedy Mbeumo well on a few occasions and brought the ball out from the back in his own distinct style.

Virgil van Dijk (CB) - 7/10 - Went close from a corner, having his shot kicked away by Fernandez. Rarely looked troubled.

Andy Robertson (LB) - 8/10 - Good block to deny Janelt. Excellent cross set up Oxlade-Chamberlain's header.

2. Midfielders

Jordan Henderson (CM) - 7/10 - Hustled and bustled in his usual position. Little wayward with his passing.

Fabinho (CM) - 9/10 - Got the breakthrough Liverpool desperately needed just before half time, nodding in Alexander-Arnold's corner at the back post. Won a lot of headers and broke up play when Liverpool needed him to.

Curtis Jones (CM) - 7/10 - Nice run ended with a shot straight at Fernandez. Happy taking the ball forward with his dribbling and had some nice moments.

3. Forwards

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (RW) - 7/10 - Forced a good save from Fernandez with a header, though he was offside anyway. Charged in at the back post to net Liverpool's second and his first Premier League goal of the season.

Roberto Firmino (ST) - 6/10 - Effort from distance went comfortably wide. Looked a little bereft of ideas, though got the easiest assist of his life for Minamino's goal before being subbed off.

Diogo Jota (LW) - 6/10 - Snap-shot crashed against the post. Should have scored when the ball fell to him in the box, but was kept out by Fernandez.

4. Substitutes

Takumi Minamino (RW) - 7/10 - Scored one of the easiest goals of his career when Brentford gifted Liverpool the ball in their own box.

James Milner (CM) - 6/10

Kaide Gordon (LW) - 6/10 - Good opportunity for his first Premier League goal but shot straight at Fernandez.

Brentford player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Alvaro Fernandez (GK) - 5/10 - Awesome save at a corner denied Van Dijk. Another excellent stop kept out Jota from close range. Didn't help Norgaard out with a poor pass before Liverpool's third, but he did make a lot of saves.

Kristoffer Ajer (CB) - 5/10 - Booked for clattering into Jota. Caught ball-watching for Liverpool's opener.

Pontus Jansson (CB) - 5/10 - Not very dominant in the air and didn't assert himself.

Ethan Pinnock (CB) - 5/10 - Missed the chance to head the ball away but missed it, allowing Oxlade-Chamberlain to convert.

6. Midfielders & wing backs

Mads Roerslev (RWB) - 5/10 - Didn't see much of the ball down the right flank.

Vitaly Janelt (CM) - 6/10 - Fired a few shots at Liverpool's goal, one of which was well blocked by Robertson. Made five interceptions.

Christian Norgaard (CM) - 6/10 - Helped create a good opportunity for Mbeumo. Caught napping on the edge of his box for Liverpool's third. Like Janelt, made five interceptions.

Shandon Baptiste (CM) - 5/10 - Got into a few decent positions out wide but couldn't make the most of them. Made a couple of tackles before being subbed off.

Rico Henry (LWB) - 6/10 - Good tackle on Alexander-Arnold to deny a shot. Picked up a knock and had to be replaced.

7. Forwards

Bryan Mbeumo (ST) - 5/10 - Fired Brentford's best opportunity wide from the centre of the box.

Ivan Toney (ST) - 5/10 - Had three shots - one on target, one blocked and the other off target. Didn't get much service and couldn't influence proceedings.

8. Substitutes

Sergi Canos (LWB) - 4/10 - Failed to smell danger as Oxlade-Chamberlain got ahead of him for Liverpool's second goal.

Yoane Wissa (CM) - 5/10

Mathias Jensen (CM) - 5/10

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