Liverpool held by Brentford as Anfield bids Salah and Robertson farewell

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were given in-game guards of honour as they said farewell to Liverpool. The tears streamed down the former’s face when he stood in the centre circle after the final whistle and absorbed the enormity of the moment. They leave behind a club that secured Champions League qualification on the final day of a uniquely challenging season, but could have been staring at another defeat but for Dango Ouattara’s late miss for Brentford.

Ouattara put a free header wide with Alisson’s goal at his mercy with practically the final touch of the season. Keith Andrews’s team would have qualified for Europe had he found the target but were left to ponder what might have been. Not that Brentford merited victory.

There were mosaics on the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand for Salah and Robertson respectively while their names were sung on repeat for the opening 15 minutes of the contest. Liverpool’s performance was clearly geared at times to getting Salah on the scoresheet too.

For Arne Slot, there was no question of punishing Salah for his latest public criticism with a demotion when Champions League football was still at stake. The Egypt international made his 442nd and final appearance for Liverpool as expected and so nearly provided the perfect send-off. A left-footed free kick from the edge of the penalty area left Caoimhín Kelleher rooted to the spot only to smack a post and rebound to safety. The former Liverpool goalkeeper and the club’s former captain, Jordan Henderson, were also given rousing receptions on their return to Anfield.

Henderson exited without fanfare when leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2023. That was put right when the Brentford midfielder was substituted on the hour. All four sides of Anfield stood to applaud a huge influence on Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp. Henderson was visibly moved and returned the compliment, tapping his chest above the heart as he went.

Liverpool had taken a merited lead just prior to Henderson’s departure. Until that point the hosts had dominated possession and also the early chances as Brentford struggled to break their press. Ibrahima Konaté headed straight at Kelleher from a Robertson cross, Dominik Szoboszlai dragged a decent opportunity wide, the Brentford keeper saved impressively from Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha was close to finding the top corner after cutting in from the left wing. And, in keeping with Liverpool’s entire season, they almost conceded when put under pressure for the first time.

A diving Kevin Schade heads Brentford’s equaliser. Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters

Kevin Schade found himself with the freedom of the Liverpool six-yard box after Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins headed a Henderson delivery back across goal. The forward had time to control and pick his spot with no Liverpool defender near him but Alisson, back in the side after two months out injured, launched himself across goal and made a vital save with his knee.

The breakthrough was made by Salah with the 120th assist of his phenomenal Liverpool career. Released down the right by a smart Gakpo pass, the 33-year-old advanced into the area before picking out the incoming Jones with a delightful cross played with the outside of his foot. Jones steered a straightforward finish past Kelleher and Liverpool had the foundation for victory. They did not build on it.

Brentford, chasing European aspirations of their own, responded well to falling behind and finally performed with an intensity their situation demanded. Andrews’s team were soon level when Jones headed a deep cross into the path of Keane Lewis-Potter. The left-back’s cross took a slight deflection off the Liverpool goalscorer en route to Schade, who beat Alisson with a diving header.

Liverpool substitute Florian Wirtz had a glorious chance to restore the home side’s lead in the 96th minute but Kelleher saved with his legs. Brentford made one last push for Europe and Ouattara, rising alone to meet Vitaly Janelt’s cross, should have sent them there.