Four things Klopp got wrong and one right as Brentford net three past Liverpool

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    Liverpool suffered a 3-1 defeat at Brentford in the Premier League after a shambolic defensive display.

    The Reds were a shadow of their former selves for the entire first half, with Brentford going into the break 2-0 up courtesy of a Ibrahima Konate own-goal and Yoane Wissa header. They were lucky to get away with just that as the Bees had two more goals ruled out for offside.

    Several substitutions by Jurgen Klopp led to a fight back in the second, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nodding in a sublime Trent Alexander-Arnold cross. But the Reds left west London empty-handed after Bryan Mbeumo pounced on Konate's mistake to make it three late on.

    READ MORE: Gary Neville told he should go on Strictly after Trent Alexander-Arnold demo at Anfield

    WRONG – set-pieces and crosses

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    Liverpool hadn't conceded a goal from a corner all season before their visit to Brentford. Then they went and conceded three in one half – with two being ruled out for offside.

    The Reds defenders were caught out for Brentford's opener, failing to deal with the ball before it bounced off Konate and went in. They were caught sleeping again when they conceded from two more corners before half time, which were both deemed offside.

    Wissa finally made them pay with a brilliant back post header, which was awarded with the help of goal-line technology.

    WRONG – Midfield configuration

    The midfield trio of Fabinho, Harvey Elliott and Thiago simply did not pay off in the first-half. They constantly misplaced passes and in return were hit on the counter.

    Elliott looked physically out-matched in the centre of the park while Fabinho was unable to save a floundering defence, continuing his plummeting form this season.

    WRONG – Shaky defending

    Klopp failed to address the same defensive issues that have troubled his side all season. Liverpool's style leaving them open to counters is nothing new – but the frequency of chances offered up to Brentford was astounding.

    Their high-line was constantly picked apart by the home side. And it proved costly when Virgil van Dijk was left alone to deal with the pace of Mbeumo in the lead up to the opening goal.

    WRONG – Intensity

    Very rarely have Klopp's Liverpool sides been accused of a lack of intensity. But that was certainly the case for the 'heavy metal' German on Monday night.

    In contrast to the gegenpressing philosophy that has served him so well, Liverpool players appeared to be second to every ball. Meanwhile Brentford's creators were given plenty of time to pick out passes and dangerous crosses.

    RIGHT – Substitutions

    Klopp's decision to take off Van Dijk, Konstantinos Tsimikas and Elliott at half-time was bold to say the least. But the Reds came out for the second 45 looking like a completely different team.

    Robertson in particular proved an immediate menace. The manager's gamble paid off with Darwin Nunez netting an offside goal straight after the break, before Oxlade-Chamberlain brought them back into the game.

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    • Brentford FC
    • Liverpool FC
    • Premier League

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