Liverpool dig deep to top Brentford 3-0, as they leapfrog Chelsea at the EPL runners-up spot

They say there's no sweeter victory than the one you had to fight heavily for.

That's probably how the Liverpool players feel now after defeating a stubborn and tenacious slot like Brentford. A packed Anfield saw a severe battle between the two sides, which ended in a 3-0 win for the Reds.

Despite what the final result suggests, it was anything but rainbows and butterflies for Jurgen Klopp's outfit as they struggled to top the die-hard underdogs.

Fernandez denies Jota's effort (© Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Lack of their African gems - Salah, Mane and Keita - again proved to be quite a challenging obstacle for the Scousers, whose prime chances for scoring came through the likes of Alexander Arnold and Van Dijk. The latter reacted excellently after one corner, but Brentford's impeccable keeper Alvaro Fernandez made a statement with a splendid last-gasp save on the line.

It was just a prelude to Fernandez's exquisite performance, embellished with some more remarkable saves in the second half. The most stunning was that one following Diogo Jota's run when the Bees custodian got a hold on what seemed to be a sure goal just a moment ago.

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However, even such a formidable shot-stopper was helpless on three occasions. The first one saw Fabinho scoring after TAA's corner from the left. The ball sliced through the entire area only to reach the Brazilian's head, and the sigh of relief spread instantly on Anfield.

The second one was a two-piece beauty, directed by Robertson and Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the former assisting in such a classy style that the cross of his deserves the same praise as the goal itself. Oxlade-Chamberlain dived between the two Brentford defenders to get a header that doubled Liverpool's lead and killed the game instantly.

Between those two crucial moments, we've seen half a dozen more opportunities for the Reds to seal the deal, but - as we said - Fernandez was having none of it. And even when couldn't deny it, there was woodwork to save the visitors, like when Jota launched a superb volley midway through the second period.

But the Bees simply weren't capable of fighting back, which inevitably led to a knock-out. It came via a substitute Minamino, who exploited Brentford's defence mismanagement to pour in the game's third.

Despite a significant victory that launches the Reds straight to the second place on the table, you couldn't see Klopp smiling a lot, especially after Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered an injury that could affect Liverpool's already crippled squad.

PREMIER LEAGUE - Round 22

Friday

Brighton - Crystal Palace 1-1 (0-0)

/Andersen 87 og - Gallagher 69/

Saturday

Man.City- Chelsea 1-0 (0-0)

/De Bruyne 70/

Burnley - Leicester POSTPONED

Wolverhampton - Southampton 3-1 (1-0)

/Jimenez 37, Coady 59, Traore 90+1 - Ward-Prowse 84/

Norwich - Everton 2-1 (2-0)

/Keane 16 of, Idah 18 - Richarlison 60/

Newcastle - Watford 1-1 (0-0)

/Saint-Maximin 49 - Pedro 88/

Aston Villa - Man.Utd 2-2 (0-1)

/Ramsey 77, Coutinho 81 - Fernandes 6, 67/

Sunday

West Ham - Leeds United 2-3 (1-2)

/Bowen 34, Fornals 52 - Harrison 1-, 37, 60/

Liverpool - Brentford 3-0 (1-0)

/Fabinho 44, Oxlade-Chamberlain 66, Minamino 79/

***odds are subject to change