Brentford
Robertson: Liverpool Lacked Structure and Grit in 3-2 Defeat to Brentford
Andy Robertson vowed the team must ‘work harder’ after a 3-2 defeat by Brentford at the weekend. ok.
Andy Robertson delivered a blunt assessment after Liverpool’s 3–2 defeat to Brentford, arguing the side failed to follow the game plan and did not show the necessary fight. Milos Kerkez reduced the deficit for Liverpool, but Brentford held a two-goal cushion before Igor Thiago converted a 60th-minute penalty. Mohamed Salah’s late goal proved only a consolation.
Robertson said the team were simply “not good enough.” He singled out defending from set plays and the battle for second balls as decisive weaknesses. “We didn’t do enough off the ball,” Robertson fumed. “They’re always going to be ready to put bodies in the box when it comes to set pieces, put the balls in behind, pick up second balls. You know what you’re going to come to, here. They’re always the same and they’re so good at it.
“It felt to me like we were just a yard off it in terms of that. They picked up so many second balls, and then the balls in behind.”
The opening Brentford goal came from a Michael Kayode long throw, and Ouattara’s swipe was the sixth set-piece goal Liverpool have conceded this season. Only West Ham United have shipped more set-piece goals.
Robertson continued to emphasise tactical preparation and work-rate, noting Arne Slot had focused on long throws in training: “the only thing we did yesterday on the training pitch.” He warned that opposing teams always have a plan and highlighted Liverpool’s failure to impose their own. “We didn’t play ours at all. That makes it so difficult.”
He also called for greater physical commitment: “You have to fight for the control, you have to fight first of all,” he warned. “You have to fight for the second balls, fight for the first balls, and try and feel your way into the game. And then the quality will come through.”
With a congested schedule ahead, Robertson stressed the response must be practical. “We’ve got to work harder. In training, in games, recovering better. When you’re at this football club, people demand results. In a difficult moment, the only way to get out of it is to work even harder, run that bit more and look after yourself that bit better. And that’s what we’ve got to do.”
“There’s no time to re-group,” the fullback fretted. “We’ve got games, games, games. Sometimes it can be a good thing that you’ve got such a quick turnaround and we can go again.”
Brentford
Thiago and Maresca honoured for November performances
Igor Thiago named November Player of the Month; Enzo Maresca wins Manager award in November. Update.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November, while Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca took the Manager of the Month prize.
Thiago becomes the fourth different recipient of the Player of the Month award this campaign and the first Brentford player ever to receive the honour. On the recognition he said: “It means so much to me,” Thiago admitted. “I’m really happy to receive this because it means my hard work on the pitch has paid off.
“I’m surprised! But hopefully I can receive more of these this season. I’m so happy and proud of myself.”
The list of winners earlier in the campaign includes Jack Grealish for August (Everton), Erling Haaland for September (Man City) and Bryan Mbeumo for October (Man Utd).
Maresca claimed his second Manager of the Month award after Chelsea collected a league-high 10 points across November. The Blues beat Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley as they began to build momentum, and they salvaged a hard-fought draw with league leaders Arsenal despite playing most of that match with 10 players.
“This kind of thing, it’s because you do the right things,” Maresca reflected. “Performances and results were fantastic.”
The manager award returns to Maresca’s desk for the first time since September 2024. He is the fourth different winner of the Manager of the Month prize this season; previous monthly recipients are Arne Slot (Liverpool) for August, Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) for September and Ruben Amorim (Man Utd) for October.
Both individual awards underline a strong November for the recipients and their clubs. Thiago’s accolade is a first for Brentford at this level, while Maresca’s recognition follows a string of results that produced the highest points total in the division for the month.
Arsenal
Shortlists for November Premier League Player and Manager of the Month
Nominees for November’s Premier League Player and Manager awards, highlighting key performances. Stars
The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.
Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.
Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.
Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.
Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).
Arsenal
Arteta Challenges Rice to Add Long Throws After Brentford Example
Arteta urged Declan Rice to add long throws to his set-piece range after watching Brentford success.
Mikel Arteta has urged Declan Rice to expand his set-piece repertoire by working on long throws, citing the clear impact Brentford have made this season from that specific delivery. Brentford have scored three times from long throws this term, while Arsenal remain without a goal from that scenario despite their broader set-piece strength.
Arteta pointed to Michael Kayode’s influence and asked his midfielder to emulate the standard the Brentford full back has established. “A massive weapon,” Arteta said of the Italian’s throw-ins. “We all know that. It is a very chaotic situation—it is very difficult to predict what is going to happen.”
When asked why Rice does not yet deploy long throws to the same extent, Arteta offered a measured response on development and belief. “Who is [as good as Kayode]? Everything has to evolve. I don’t know how good [Kayode] was a year ago, or two years ago or three years ago. I know how good Declan was at taking set pieces three or four years ago and I know how good he is now.
“It does not happen overnight. Things have to be trained, evolved and tweaked. And the player has to believe as well, which is key. When you look at Declan, he can do almost everything you require him to do.”
Arteta’s comments come with some short-term fitness concerns. Rice, who has two goals and five assists in all competitions this season, was withdrawn in the 83rd minute of the meeting with Brentford after showing signs of a problem. Cristhian Mosquera added his name to a list of defensive absentees that already includes William Saliba and Gabriel. Arteta criticised the jam-packed schedule after the full-time whistle and was hoping Rice’s issue would not be serious.
Rice later reported no serious concern and made himself available for the upcoming game. In an off-camera meeting with Sky Sports News, Rice revealed he was “fine” and able to feature at Villa Park on Saturday.
