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.”
Arsenal
Sunday Premier League Preview: Stakes High for Arsenal as London and Midlands Tests Await
Arsenal must beat Manchester United to restore a seven-point lead; Sunday also features key clashes.
Manchester City’s Saturday victory set up a pivotal Sunday in the Premier League. Arsenal know they must beat Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium to re-establish a seven-point advantage at the top. That match carries weight after Manchester United’s collective performance in last week’s derby and Bruno Fernandes’s praised role in a 2-0 win.
There is also a London derby when Crystal Palace host Chelsea, and Brentford welcome Nottingham Forest. Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea ended a run without a league win with a 2–0 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge, bringing his tally to three wins from four in charge. That run would be impressive for any Chelsea manager, but recent form in midweek suggests the Blues could struggle at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace remain in a tailspin. Steve Parish did not give into Oliver Glasner’s apparent wish to get the boot last weekend, so Glasner will occupy the home dugout as Palace seek their first league win since Dec. 7.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Chelsea
Brentford’s season under Keith Andrews has exceeded early expectations. After a defeat at the City Ground in Gameweek 1, Andrews has guided the Bees to a campaign that looks set to better their best under Thomas Frank, when they finished ninth in 2022–23. Brentford sit seventh and have accumulated 24 points from 11 games at the Gtech, the fourth-best home record in the division. Nottingham Forest suffered an away Europa League defeat in Braga on Thursday, and that European slog may influence Sunday’s clash.
Prediction: Brentford 3–1 Nottingham Forest
The reverse fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa earlier in the season was uneventful, but Sunday’s meeting on Tyneside has potential. Aston Villa’s home loss to Everton increased pressure within the camp; Unai Emery’s post-match interview depicted a manager “on the brink and not one who’s distinctly overachieved.” Villa did win at Fenerbahçe on Thursday, while Newcastle cruised past PSV Eindhoven. The Magpies are inconsistent away but difficult to break down at home.
Prediction: Newcastle 3–2 Aston Villa
Brentford
Sánchez Saves and Palmer Penalty See Rosenior Claim Nervy 2-0 Win
Rosenior wins 2-0 on Premier League debut as Sánchez keeps Chelsea safe and Palmer seals a penalty..
Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League outing ended with a 2-0 victory over Brentford, but the result papered over a number of issues Chelsea must address. The win halted a run of eight consecutive matches without a clean sheet and lifted Chelsea above their visitors to sixth in the table.
Robert Sánchez was the defining figure. His first-half stop to prevent Tosin turning a ball into his own net and a second save to deny Kevin Schade underlined a return to form after a midweek dip. Enzo Fernández was influential in midfield; his pressure led to João Pedro’s opener when a poor Michael Kayode pass deflected into Pedro’s path and VAR awarded the goal.
At full back, Reece James looked uncomfortable and well below his usual standards, exemplified by a corner that went straight out of play. Marc Cucurella enjoyed license to roam but was inconsistent. In central defence Trevoh Chalobah largely matched Igor Thiago, though Schade’s pace caused him problems. Tosin Adarabioyo was dominant inside his own 18 yards and won every aerial ball before being forced off with injury.
In midfield Moisés Caicedo did a lot of solo defending and keyed efforts to target Mikkel Damsgaard. Enzo Fernández at times tried to be too clever in the final third but pressed effectively for the opening goal. Pedro Neto was lively and created chances, while Cole Palmer, still not fully fit after a groin issue, looked sluggish but delivered a precise penalty.
Alejandro Garnacho worked hard but his end product was frustrating, most notably a miss from five yards after a fine Neto cross. João Pedro showed composure to take his goal and caused problems when operating in the box.
Rosenior altered the shape early in the second half, bringing on Andrey Santos for Garnacho and, later, Wesley Fofana and Liam Delap, the latter converting a penalty after a poor touch from Caoimhín Kelleher led to a foul. With heavy Brentford pressure at times and unrest among supporters outside the ground, Rosenior switched to a back five to close out the victory.
Substitutes: Andrey Santos (57’ for Garnacho) 6.5; Wesley Fofana (57’ for Tosin) 6.5; Liam Delap (74′ for Pedro) 6.6; Jorell Hato (85’ for Fernández) N/A; Josh Acheampong (85’ for James) N/A. Unused: Filip Jörgensen (GK), Benoît Badiashile, Marc Guiu, Tyrique George.
Starting XI: Caoimhín Kelleher; Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Rico Henry; Yehor Yarmoliuk, Vitaly Janelt; Mikkel Damsgaard, Mathias Jensen, Kevin Schade; Igor Thiago.
Arsenal
FotMob’s Top Five Performers From Premier League Gameweek 20
FotMob ratings highlight five best performers in Gameweek 20: Grealish, McGinn, Thiaw, Rice. ratings
FotMob’s ratings singled out five players whose individual displays defined Premier League Gameweek 20.
Jack Grealish was a bright spot in Manchester City’s 4–2 defeat to Brentford at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The loanee produced two delightful deliveries to tee up Beto and Thierno Barry for consolation strikes and completed more dribbles (four) than anyone on the pitch. He also led the match for chances created (four). There was very little for the crowd to enjoy in a miserable loss to the Bees, but Grealish “didn’t deserve to be on the losing team.”
John McGinn was the key architect of Aston Villa’s 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest. The indefatigable Scotsman scored a brace, the first a well-placed finish from inside the area to double the home side’s advantage and the second a remarkable long-range effort aided by a disastrous piece of goalkeeping. Scoring twice from an expected goals total of 0.45 underlined the quality of his contribution. Strangely, this was McGinn’s first double at club level since a 3–1 victory over Forest in the Championship in 2018–19.
Malick Thiaw continued to impress for Newcastle United, scoring his third Premier League goal in a 2–0 victory over Crystal Palace. The summer recruit was an absolute colossus defensively, registering a game-high 17 defensive contributions, including five tackles and 10 clearances, helping secure a clean sheet. His speed and physicality were crucial in thwarting Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Declan Rice overcame doubts over an injury to start for Arsenal and was central to a 3–2 win over Bournemouth. He delivered two composed finishes, bending a low effort beyond Djordje Petrović for Arsenal’s second and calmly converting Bukayo Saka’s pull back for what proved to be the winning goal. Rice’s all-action midfield display included 14 defensive contributions, and he was only out-passed by two players in the contest.
United Preparing Major Midfield Overhaul with Goretzka Among Targets
Salah becomes first player with 152 goal contributions at one Premier League stadium
