As Brentford fans rejoiced over their victory against the Premier League champions on Saturday evening, a starkly contrasting scene unfolded in the away dressing room. Liverpool’s disheartened players sat in grim silence, reeling from their fourth straight Premier League loss, with the jubilant cheers of the opposition supporters ringing in their ears.
This sombre mood came just days after a morale-boosting team meeting, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, had seemingly reignited their faltering season with a triumphant Champions League performance against Eintracht Frankfurt. Federico Chiesa revealed the silent aftermath, stating: “No-one was speaking, because afterwards everyone knows. Sometimes you don’t have to speak about the situation. You know what’s going on.”
He continued: “So no-one spoke because we have to think about what we can do better. Usually when we are in this situation, the first thing that comes to your mind is to give more, train harder.
“It was good that after the game we didn’t talk because it’s a sign that everyone wants to change the situation.
“Afterwards we went to the bus and then we started to talk about the situation. The first thing is we don’t have to blame anything or anyone.
“It’s many reasons, there’s not just one thing, but we have the quality and the players to bounce back and we have a fantastic manager, so I don’t see any trouble.”
The challenge won’t be any simpler on Wednesday as Liverpool seek to prevent a sixth loss in seven matches when they welcome Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Brentford became the most recent team to capitalise on Liverpool’s vulnerability to set-pieces and aerial balls, but Chiesa, who is expected to feature in the starting line-up against Palace, remains unfazed.
“We have players that are world class and that can be put in any situation and will perform, so I don’t see any problem,” he said.
“If Crystal Palace wants to play long ball and long throw-ins, they are more than welcome to do so, because we’re going to answer them with high intensity and winning duels, and trying to win.”
After a difficult first campaign at Liverpool, Chiesa has already notched two goals and provided three assists across nine appearances this season.
He created both Liverpool goals in their 2-1 victory against Southampton in the previous round.