Home World USA Latin America Europe Asia Africa TV Shows Showbiz Travel Lifestyle Opinion Science Politics Health Sports Tech Entertainment Business
Sports October 25, 2025

Joe Cole slams three ‘awful’ Liverpool stars in defeat to Brentford

Joe Cole slams three ‘awful’ Liverpool stars in defeat to Brentford
Aston Villa v Newcastle United - Premier League
Joe Cole has called out the Liverpool trio as the Premier League champions lost again (Picture: Getty)

Joe Cole has called out three ‘awful’Liverpoolstars as thePremier Leaguechampions were beaten 3-2 atBrentfordon Saturday.


Goals from Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade gave the Bees a two-goal cushion beforeMilos Kerkezgot on the scoresheet before half-time.


Igor Thiago slotted home a penalty after the break withMohamed Salah’s late goal not enough as Brentford secured three points against the Reds.


Cole, speaking in his half-time analysis forTNT Sports, blasted three Liverpool players –Virgil van Dijk,Ibrahima Konateand Kerkez.


Rewatching Schade’s goal for Brentford, Cole said: ‘The defending is awful from Van Dijk and Konate.

Get personalised updates on Liverpool every day

Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.


Sign up to our newsletterand then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.

‘But it is a beautiful pass and an unbelievable finish. Kerkez had an awful 45 minutes [in the first half].’


Fellow pundit Steve McManaman opined: ‘Liverpool have been very, very chaotic and all over the place at times.

FBL-ENG-PR-BRENTFORD-LIVERPOOL
Milos Kerkez was one of three players called out by Joe Cole (Picture: Getty)

‘They are very fortune they got a late goal [before half time] to get back in the game. I thought Kerkez was poor, I thought [Florian] Wirtz was weak.’


After the match, Cole added: ‘We had drama, quality and passion. [Brentford boss] Keith Andrews has just taken the baton off Thomas Frank and he is just pushing this football club up the table.


‘This is Brentford’s moment. A wonderful performance from the team.’

Brentford v Liverpool - Premier League
Igor Thiago scored for Brentford in the win over Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

Slot: I have a clear idea of where we have to improve

Speaking after the defeat, meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot told the BBC: ‘What I have to do is look at what we do wrong and what we do right.


‘I have a clear idea of where we have to improve but that hasn’t been the case in other games. We didn’t do the basics right today.


‘Disappointing result and a disappointing performance as well today.


‘Conceding three goals is far too much if you want to win a game of football.


‘First one was a set-piece. Second is a counter-attack which is one of the things [Brentford] are really good at.


‘We didn’t defend that at all. To be in the game at half-time because we scored and in the second half, the penalty made it impossible to get a result today.’


Quizzed about Salah scoring, Slot added: ‘Always positive he is scoring a goal. It was a great finish from Mo.’

Share this article

UMVA MAG

UMVA Mag is your trusted source for breaking news, in-depth analysis, and compelling stories from around the world. Covering politics, business, technology, entertainment, sports, health, science, and more — we deliver journalism that matters.

Independent, Accurate, Unbiased
24/7 Breaking News Coverage
Trusted by Millions Worldwide