Arne Slot admitted the 3-2 defeat at Brentford was the biggest disappointment of his Liverpool reign even if he felt two penalty decisions went against his struggling side
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot gestures during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on October 25, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot gestures during the match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium
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Unhappy Arne Slot admits Liverpool’s dismal loss at Brentford represents the biggest disappointment of his Anfield reign. The Reds slipped to a fourth successive Premier League defeat for the first time since February 2021 when they were beaten 3-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.
Dango Ouattara capitalised on a long throw early on and Kevin Schade put Brentford in control before Milos Kerkez pulled one back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.
However, a controversial penalty tucked away by Igor Thiago after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled Ouattara inside the area rendered Mohamed Salah's late strike as mere consolation and left Liverpool down in sixth place.
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And asked if the performance was the biggest disappointment of his tenure, Slot - whose side had won 5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League in midweek - said: “Yes, I think it’s up there in my time here in terms of losing a game of football.
“It was disappointing again. You are always hoping if you win your game during the week – although with only two days rest before you come over here – that you hope for a better result.
“I was hoping and expecting a better performance, the performance was far from what we are used to. Even if we are losing, our performances have been better than it was tonight.
“We weren’t doing the basics right, although the energy in the stadium definitely was helpful for Brentford and they are a good team, winning duels and second balls.
“It’s hard to win a game of football if the other team wins more duels and second balls than you, especially if that’s what they are playing off.
“It’s also difficult to win a game if the set-piece balance is in their favour.”
Slot questioned the award of the Brentford’s ultimately decisive spot kick and believes Liverpool could have had one of their own in the first half when Cody Gakpo was felled shortly before the home side went 2-0 up.
“It should never be see as an excuse,” said Slot. “But if I say it was a soft penalty I hope you don’t say it’s an excuse, but it was a very soft penalty.
“I don’t think the referee was thinking to give the penalty but then they checked it and if it’s given as a foul then it’s a penalty. That bad luck maybe counts if you play a game like we did today.
“It’s a crucial moment just before the 2-0, there was a moment where Cody dribbled inside the box and they didn’t play the ball.
“I think if you show both situations to every referee in the world, maybe both are nothing but if I had to give one of the two penalties I’d give the one to Cody.”
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