The Reds entered Sunday’s fixture knowing a single point would guarantee a fifth-place finish in the Premier League standings. Curtis Jones opened the scoring just before the hour mark, assisted by Mohamed Salah in what marked his final appearance for the club. While Kevin Schade quickly leveled the score, Arne Slot’s squad ultimately did enough to earn a coveted spot in Europe’s premier club competition for the upcoming season.

Manager Arne Slot made three alterations following the previous defeat to Aston Villa, bringing back the departing duo of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson into the starting lineup, alongside goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez, and Giorgi Mamardashvili were the players who made way, with Wataru Endo, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alexander Isak returning to the substitutes’ bench.

Liverpool’s Starting XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate (Gomez, 90′), Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah (Frimpong, 73′), Jones, Gakpo, Robertson (Kerkez, 72′), Gravenberch (Nyoni, 72′), Ngumoha (Wirtz, 73′).

Unused Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Endo, Isak, Chiesa.

First Half Action

Liverpool began the match brightly, with Ibrahima Konate directing a header from a Robertson cross towards goal, only for Caoimhin Kelleher, who received a warm reception upon his return to Anfield, to comfortably save it. Twenty minutes later, Salah came agonizingly close to scoring his 258th and final goal for the Reds, striking his free-kick against the post. Dominik Szoboszlai fired wide after a surging run from midfield, and Kelleher produced another fine save to deny Ryan Gravenberch’s curling effort from 20 yards out. Rio Ngumoha also sent an attempt just wide as Liverpool persistently sought to break the deadlock.

However, the home side needed a stunning, sprawling save from Alisson, who used his foot to repel Schade’s close-range effort, ensuring the contest remained goalless at halftime.

Second Half Overview

Once more, Liverpool dictated the opening stages of the second half, and their persistence was rewarded on the hour mark. Unsurprisingly, Salah was at the heart of the action, fittingly marking his last match for the club by setting a new record with his 93rd Premier League assist for Liverpool, surpassing Steven Gerrard’s previous total of 92. The number 11 expertly carved out space on the right flank before delivering a perfect, outside-of-the-boot cross, which Jones delicately connected with to put the Reds 1-0 up.

Brentford midfielder and former Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, received a heartfelt standing ovation from everyone at Anfield when he was substituted. Shortly after, the visitors found their equalizer, with Schade diving to head home a deflected cross. Loud applause and guards of honour from teammates greeted the departing Salah and Robertson during the closing moments, though Brentford’s improved performance somewhat dampened the atmosphere.

Igor Thiago sent a shot wide, and both teams squandered significant opportunities to snatch all three points during the 10 minutes of added time. Florian Wirtz was first denied by an excellent save from Kelleher, before Dango Ouattara fired over the crossbar at the other end.

Attendance: 60,325