Brentford fans clearly hadn’t watched Liverpool’s visit to Chelsea earlier in the month.
“You’ll never play for England!” chanted a smattering of the travelling army as Trent Alexander-Arnold lined up a corner kick in front of them shortly before the interval here at Anfield.
Chelsea supporters had done something similar at Stamford Bridge, only for the Liverpool right-back to provide an assist mere moments later.
This time, though, Alexander-Arnold just had to wait a few seconds to deliver retribution, sweeping in a delivery from the left that evaded everyone until Fabinho arrived to head in the opener at the far post.
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A 10th Premier League assist of the season, it moved him ahead of team-mate Mohamed Salah ahead of the standings.
And after an indifferent showing on Thursday in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg stalemate with Arsenal, it was the highlight of a much-improved performance from Alexander-Arnold.
That Liverpool broke down the stubborn resistance of Brentford from a corner would no doubt have come as a shock to those who have seen the Reds continually frustrate with such opportunities.
No club, though, has scored more top-flight goals from set-pieces this season than Jurgen Klopp’s side. And even Manchester City cannot match their overall Premier League firepower.
Nevertheless, with Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita – not to mention Thiago Alcantara – all absent, Liverpool’s creativity and ability to break down packed defences is being given a severe test.
What hasn’t changed, though, is their potency from full-back. And where Alexander-Arnold leads, Andy Robertson usually follows.
The left-back began to prosper during the second half and curled in a fine cross that invited Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to finish with a brave diving header at the far post for Liverpool's second
Leighton Baines, with 53, is the now the only defender in Premier League history to have contributed more assists than Robertson’s 45. Alexander-Arnold is on 43.
The goal effectively ended Brentford’s resistance, the visitors having sought to replicate the five-man rearguard action that served Arsenal so well three days earlier. Ultimately, though, they were indebted to a clutch of second-half saves from goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez in restricting Liverpool to three.
Manchester City may remain almost out of sight at the Premier League summit.
This victory, though, has settled some Anfield nerves – and given Liverpool a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Thursday’s decisive trip to the Emirates.
