Liverpool find resources to get the better of Brentford

Liverpool moved back up to second in the Premier League table after goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino earned them a 3-0 win over Brentford at Anfield on Sunday. The win put Jürgen Klopp's side above Chelsea in the standings and 11 points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. Guardiola's City continued their winning streak by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday.

The result ends a three-match winless run in the league for Liverpool which has seen them fall off the pace in the title race. It was the first time that the Reds were without Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mané who are playing at the African Cup of Nations and their lack of potency in attack was evident as they struggled to open up a determined Brentford defence.

Fabinho at the back post

Virgil van Dijk saw his effort cleared off the line as Klopp's team set about pounding the guests' goal  The home side finally broke through a minute before the interval when a corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold bounced to the back post and was nodded home by Fabinho. The London side continued to prove resilient opponents after the break although Diogo Jota struck the post in the 62nd minute after Alexander-Arnold had burst into the box and Brentford keeper Álvaro Fernández did well to keep out another effort from the Portuguese forward.

But Brentford remained firmly in the contest and came close to equalising. But it was all over in the 69th minute when Oxlade-Chamberlain stooped at the back post to head in a wonderful cross from left back Andy Robertson. Substitute Minamino wrapped up the win, tapping home after Brentford's attempt to play out from the back was intercepted by Roberto Firmino who set up the Japanese forward for a simple finish.

There was nearly a dream league debut for 17-year-old substitute Kaide Gordon, who was put through on goal but was denied by another good save from Fernández. "We needed these three points and a good performance so it was nice to do it in front of our fans. It will be good to build our confidence," said Fabinho. "The team played really well with the ball. The front three played really well. We created a lot of opportunities to score. It is a chance for everybody to show their quality and step up. We did that today". The result leaves Brentford in 14th place on 23 points.