Liverpool player ratings vs Brentford: Luis Diaz a constant threat but Trent Alexander-Arnold quiet at Anfield | OneFootball

Forward players delivered in Arne Slot’s first competitive match at Anfield

Liverpool won their first home match of the season as they saw off Brentford 2-0 in a comfortable victory at Anfield.

Luis Diaz gave them the lead on 13 minutes when he finished with power and accuracy following a swift counter-attack led by Diogo Jota.

The Reds rallied in their first home match under new manager Arne Slot and took an age to double their lead despite dominating the Bees.

But they finally added their second goal on 70 minutes when Mohamed Salah stayed onside and clipped home to seal all three points for Liverpool.

Dom Smith was at Anfield to rate the Liverpool players’ performances…

Liverpool’s attacking stars proved the difference at Anfield

AFP via Getty Images

Alisson 7

Didn’t have much to do by way of shot-stopping but played a number of very composed passes. One outstanding save in the second half from Nathan Collins’s header.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 6

Quiet afternoon for the right-back, who did come close to scoring in the first half but for a close-range block.

Virgil van Dijk 6

Bryan Mbeumo got the better of him on a couple of occasions but was otherwise dependable on and off the ball.

Ibrahima Konate 6

Couple of nice lunging tackles and played sensible passes rather than putting his team-mates in danger. Came close with a header from a corner which Mark Flekken saved.

Andy Robertson 7

Marshalled Mbeumo well down his flank and always sought to play forward with the ball at his feet.

Ryan Gravenberch 6

Booked for a poor challenge on Mathias Jensen. Part of a Liverpool midfield which had the beating of Brentford’s all afternoon.

Alexis Mac Allister 7

Composed on the ball. Everything went through him. Afforded way too much time to pick his pass, frankly.

Dominik Szoboszlai 7

Almost always free, available, and asking for the ball. Positive in possession.

Mohamed Salah 7

Not as impactful as last weekend when he scored at Portman Road, but again strong and would not be bullied by Brentford’s towering centre-backs. A clipped finish saw him double the lead after the interval.

Diogo Jota 7

Assisted Luis Diaz in the first half with a neat run and threaded ball. Lively.

Luis Diaz 8

Spent all afternoon looking to peel off the back of the Bees defence. Scored a rocket of a finish. Then struck the post, before assisting Salah for the second goal.

Subs:

Darwin Nunez (Jota, 73’) 5

Quiet cameo.

Cody Gakpo (Diaz, 73’) 6

Almost scored off the bench but a deflection carried his shot against the post.

Conor Bradley (Alexander-Arnold, 73’) 6

Made a few nice marauding runs with the ball.

Harvey Elliott (Salah, 83’) N/A

Wataru Endo (Gravenberch, 90+1’) N/A

Not used: Kelleher, Gomez, Tsimikas, Quansah