Thomas Frank Makes Federico Chiesa Admission and Names Liverpool Star Who “Worked Exceptionally Hard”

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points after securing a 2-0 victory over Brentford.

Thomas Frank praised Liverpool’s physicality, describing it as “outstanding,” and expressed no complaints about Brentford’s defeat.

The Reds relied on two stoppage-time goals from Darwin Núñez to break the deadlock and claim the win at the Gtech Community Stadium. Despite dominating much of the game, Liverpool struggled to penetrate Brentford’s resilient defence.

Substitute Núñez finally made the breakthrough in the 91st minute, scoring Liverpool’s 36th shot of the match. Just two minutes later, he netted again with the team’s 37th and final attempt, securing all three points.

Brentford have been impressive at home this season, earning 23 of their 28 points in West London. In their previous game, they came from behind to draw 2-2 with defending champions Manchester City.

However, Frank admired Liverpool’s quality and backed them as favourites to win the Premier League title. With Arsenal held to a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, Liverpool now sit six points clear at the top.

“Liverpool are the best team in the world right now. “We just played against City and Arsenal and I think they are a level above right now, more complete in all phases of the game. Yeah, very good, exceptionally good. That said, we did well and competed well and defended extremely well.

“We gave very few big chances away and it was a perfect example of where they are. You can’t say 0-0 wouldn’t have been unfair but if they won 1-0, you probably can’t argue because they had more of the ball and had more opportunities than us.

“The way the final one dropped for them, we have blocked a shot and it drops inch-perfect for Trent [Alexander-Arnold] for Nunez who scores. If he needs to take a touch then we are there to make a block.

“It’s a perfect example of where they are. They didn’t win because the ball dropped for them because the ball went for them but it’s also going their way.

“They worked exceptionally hard today, a good example was Virgil van Dijk chasing back Bryan Mbeumo over 50-60 yards. We had quite a few opportunities but lacked the final sharpness, touch, whatever plus Liverpool defended well.”

Liverpool’s substitutes played a decisive role in the game, with Núñez emerging as the match-winner, Harvey Elliott contributing to both goals, and Federico Chiesa playing a key part in the second.

Admitting the wealth of options at Liverpool’s disposal, Frank admitted that containing such threats is a significant challenge. He remarked:

“Of course, there is a challenge. Diaz is drifting more to the side sometimes whereas Nunez is always straight into the box so they probably needed that. It’s different, of course, but the players adjust. We always expect a striker in there. Chiesa, of course, plays more on the side. We handled it well for 90 minutes until [Cody] the last four.

I think they physically are outstanding. If you look at their players and the way they are through the middle when they have [Dominik’ Szoboszlai, [Ryan] Gravenberch, [Alexis] Mac Allister – he is a football player but he can still move his feet.

“Gakpo to the side, of course, the two centre-backs [Ibrahima] Konate and van Dijk, [Mo] Salah and [Luis[ Diaz are runners, [Kostas] Tsimikas, [Andy] Robertson, Trent are just… technically and tactically they are very good and have got physicality.”

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