Liverpool return to Brentford on Sunday almost exactly 12 months after a chastening 3-2 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium, a result that triggered a run of four straight Premier League losses and ultimately derailed their title defence.
The sense of deja vu is heightened by the fact that, as before last year's meeting, the Reds enjoyed a high-scoring European victory in midweek. Twelve months ago it was a 6-3 romp against LASK of Austria, with Florian Wirtz among the star performers after pre-match discussion had centred on his difficult start to the season. This time, the Germany international produced his best performance of the campaign in a Europa League win on the road.
Wirtz's Brentford Nightmare
Last year, Wirtz started reasonably well at Brentford but faded horribly after missing a big chance in the first half. He was replaced during the final quarter to strains of "what a waste of money" from the delighted home crowd as Brentford overpowered the Reds.
That defeat was Liverpool's fourth straight in the league, a run that saw them plummet from first to sixth and set in motion a series of events from which then head coach Arne Slot never fully recovered.
Reds' Setback Concerns
This time, Liverpool arrive not only as underdogs but also behind an unbeaten Brentford in the embryonic table, after last Sunday's sobering 3-0 home reverse to Manchester City. That defeat turned on the contentious dismissal of Ryan Gravenberch shortly after the hour, with Liverpool having arguably been the better team beforehand. However, the seeming lack of fight shown by Iraola's side during the remainder of the match was a genuine concern, with Wirtz the first player sacrificed shortly after Erling Haaland had put City ahead.
Questions continue to be asked of this Reds squad over how they cope with setbacks. The 5-1 win at Frankfurt last October was one of only two times Liverpool came from behind to win last season, although they fought back to earn draws against Fulham and Sunderland. There has been an improvement this term, with comebacks in the opening two Premier League games against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, along with a win having conceded first in the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
Battle Ahead at Brentford
There is, though, a nagging doubt among supporters that the squad isn't properly equipped for the type of battle anticipated this afternoon, when set-pieces and the midfield scrum are expected to prove decisive. Individually, there should be a significant number of scrappers, with Milos Kerkez, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and on-loan Ronald Araujo all battle-hardened, while Jeremy Jacquet and Rio Ngumoha have shown signs of such an appetite.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo don't shirk the physical stuff, but that they could again join Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike on the sidelines increases trepidation. Big-money talents such as Wirtz, Bradley Barcola and injury doubt Alexander Isak weren't bought for their ability to mix it with the rough stuff, and it could be argued it is an expectation of their team-mates to provide them the platform to produce their attacking prowess. But they have not yet proven themselves scrappers in the mould of Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and the much-missed Diogo Jota.
Having already destroyed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on their own patch this season, Brentford will be sensing another scalp. It's up to Liverpool - Wirtz and all - to start changing the narrative. Time to roll the sleeves up.
