The Reds brushed aside Brentford 3-0 to go second in the Premier League table, whereas elsewhere, fourth-placed West Ham United were stunned by an injury-ravaged Leeds United.
Jurgen Klopp’s men came close to scoring the opening goal a few times, knowing a win would take them above Chelsea and into second place with a game in hand. Corners were Liverpool’s most lethal form of attack in the first half; Virgil Van Dijk almost scored from one, Fabinho did score from one. The Brazilian was left with a simple nod-in at the back post after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery beat everyone but him inside the box a minute before half-time.
After the interval, Bryan Mbeumo went within an inch of restoring parity while, at the other end, Diogo Jota struck the post before spurning a one-on-one opportunity. Nonetheless, Liverpool did double their lead in the 69th minute when Andrew Robertson’s cross from deep was headed in by a diving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Substitute Takumi Minamino confirmed the win for the Reds in the 77th minute when he tapped the ball in from close range after Roberto Firmino had robbed Christian Norgaard on the edge of the Brentford box.
Elsewhere, West Ham United’s hopes of finishing in the top four received a major blow at the hands of an injury-ravaged Leeds United. Marcelo Bielsa had several men on the sidelines – a list that had grown by two by the 23rd minute – but that didn’t deter his side from taking the game to the Hammers.
Jack Harrison put Leeds in front in the 10th minute with a powerful drive from the left-centre of the box. However, an in-form Jarrod Bowen headed in a corner in the 33rd minute to restore parity. Nevertheless, four minutes later, Leeds were back in front when Harrison touched in a Luke Ayling flick – off a corner of their own.
In the 52nd minute, Pablo Fornals collected a pass from Michail Antonio before skipping inside and beating Illan Meslier at his near post; West Ham were level for the second time in the match.
But, minutes later, Raphinha picked Harrison in space on the left with a superbly weighted pass, and the Englishman lifted the ball over an onrushing Lukasz Fabianski for his hattrick. Leeds held onto their lead this time to claim three important points.
