LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Mohamed Salah scored his 19th goal of the season and Liverpool won its sixth-straight Premier League game with a 1-0 win over Brentford at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds move to 62 points, one less than fourth-place Manchester United and three fewer than Newcastle albeit having played two more matches than both.
Brentford’s outstanding year looks unlikely to be rewarded with European football, as the Bees’ 50 points have them four points back of eighth place Villa and five behind Brighton.
Liverpool did just what it needed to get the job done, getting their goal from Mohamed Salah — of course — and riding the winning waves to an advantage over Brentford.
The visitors were lively at times but the danger was rarely really in the air, as Liverpool won the xG scrap 2.08-0.19.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were solid at the back especially when pushed by a physical Bees attack, and Alisson Becker was a pair of safe hands when required by any lapses.
Anfield remains a tough place to come, and it’s not so much that opponents struggle but the Reds’ players seem to pick up a step or two at home. Van Dijk’s surge toward the end line to set up Salah’s goal was that little bit extra, and something we’ve seen so many times on Merseyside.
Manchester United or Newcastle collapsing down the stretch seems unlikely, but there’s a strong feeling in the air that Liverpool will be waiting if either does manage to drop enough points: Leicester away, Villa home, Saints away are how Jurgen Klopp’s men finish their season.
Mo Salah reached the 19-goal landmark yet again for Liverpool.