Merseyside | Liverpool end season with more dropped points

Liverpool 1 - 1 Brentford

Liverpool confirmed Champions League football for next season despite being held by Brentford as they said farewell to Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

It has been a deeply underwhelming campaign for last season’s Premier League champions and, on an emotional afternoon, they once again failed to hold on after taking the lead.

Despite both sides having something to play for, the game lacked often lacked intensity. This was perhaps partly down to the heat.

Still, as the Anfield crowd said goodbye to two modern greats, Liverpool secured the point required to seal fifth place and a return to the Champions League. 

The result also meant Brentford missed out on any European qualification. Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson received a great reception on his first visit back to Anfield since leaving Merseyside 

A closer look at emotional day at Anfield

The focus before kick-off was firmly on Salah and Robertson, making their 442nd and 275th appearances respectively after nine years of service at Anfield.

Reds head coach Arne Slot opted to start Salah despite the winger’s controversial social media post following the defeat at Aston Villa nine days earlier, when the Egyptian appeared to question the manager.

Salah nearly produced the perfect farewell when he curled a free-kick around the Brentford wall in the 19th minute, only to see the effort come back off the post rather than nestle in the net.

Liverpool defend a corner

He did, however, register the 120th assist of his Liverpool career, teeing up Curtis Jones to score in front of the Kop in the 58th minute.

Liverpool’s advantage lasted little more than five minutes as Kevin Schade, who had earlier been denied by a fine save from the returning Alisson Becker, equalised.

Liverpool endured some nervous moments late on after Salah was replaced to an emotional ovation in the 74th minute.

Robertson was also given a standing ovation when substituted in the 83rd minute, before both departing players returned to the pitch after full-time, with Salah visibly emotional as the Kop sang his name.