Liverpool and Brentford remain level after lively opening 15 minutes

Liverpool and Brentford were still locked at 0-0 after the opening quarter of an hour, with both sides creating openings but neither able to produce a shot on target.

Liverpool tried to build pressure early on, and Bradley Barcola saw a pass intended for the penalty area blocked by a defender. The deflection gave Liverpool a corner.

Alexis Mac Allister then attempted to send a long forward pass towards team-mate Victor Munoz, but the ball was overhit and ran beyond the touchline. Brentford were awarded a goal kick.

At the other end, Michael Kayode was unable to find Dango Ouattara with a through ball. Liverpool’s defence reacted quickly to intercept and clear the danger.

Ronald Araujo was penalised for a challenge on Geydon Anthony in midfield, before Victor Munoz conceded a free-kick after catching Keane Lewis-Potter in a defensive area.

Brentford were also forced to work hard to play the ball out from the back as Liverpool pressed high up the pitch. Dominik Szoboszlai subsequently tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his powerful effort lacked accuracy and sailed over the crossbar.

Ouattara answered with a strong effort from a similar distance, although Liverpool’s defence again intervened to block the shot and deny him an opportunity to test the goalkeeper.

Igor Thiago later attempted to pick out a team-mate from outside the penalty area, but Liverpool’s defenders moved quickly to cut out the pass and remove the threat.

Brentford won a corner from the left, with Mathias Jensen delivering the ball into the penalty area. Virgil van Dijk headed it away from danger, although only as far as another corner.

Liverpool continued to apply pressure and look for a way through the Brentford defence. Florian Wirtz appeared close to creating a promising opportunity for Munoz when he tried to play a decisive pass through the defensive line, but a Brentford defender read the move and cut out the ball.

Alexander Isak was then flagged offside after taking up an incorrect position, while Christopher Ajer was penalised in midfield for a challenge on Szoboszlai.