Liverpool vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Mohamed Salah winner

The players are out on the pitch and gather around the centre circle for the national anthem following the coronation of King Charles III earlier in the day. As we expected, it’s met with a mixture of boos and chants from the Liverpool fans in the ground

Nobody is ahead of Sam Allardyce. Not Jurgen Klopp, not Mikel Arteta and not Pep Guardiola. Or so argued Allardyce, anyway. A game into his comeback, just maybe Guardiola is slightly ahead of him.

The scoreline suggested as much, the match – as one-sided as a 2-1 can get – indicated they are separated by a gulf, in ambition and skill, in ability in possession and footballing philosophy. But, given the inferior players at his disposal and the difficulties he inherited, a man of Allardyce’s immense self-confidence may feel it supports his case they are equals.

Read Richard Jolly’s report from the Etihad Stadium:

• Liverpool have lost just one of their 10 home meetings with Brentford in all competitions (W7 D2), winning the last six in a row since a 4-3 loss in November 1937 in the top-flight.

• Brentford have won their last two Premier League games. They’re looking to win three in a row for the first time since January, which included a 3-1 victory over Liverpool.

• Brentford have won just two of their 14 Premier League games against sides in the top five of the table (D5 L7), though both of these victories came away from home (4-1 v Chelsea in April 2022, and 2-1 at Man City in November this season).

“Coaching all of a sudden is a joy again. We had nothing to lose a few weeks ago and started something new. Since then it is going well.

“We are not there - not even close. We know that. We have to learn a lot and improve a lot, and we have to keep going.”

For Liverpool, it’s three changes from their 1-0 win against Fulham. Robertson comes back in for Tsimikas at left-back while Gakpo and Jota return to the forward line. Henderson and Diaz drop to the bench.

Frank makes two changes to his Brentford side after their 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest as they move to a back five. Zanka comes into defence and Onyeka into central midfield with Damsgaard and Schade making way.

We now turn out attention to Merseyside as Liverpool host Brentford. A reminder of the line-ups:

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Gakpo; Salah, Jota, Nunez

Brentford XI: Raya; Hickey, Zanka, Mee, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Janelt, Onyeka; Mbeumo, Toney

Elsewhere in the 3 pm kick-offs, Frank Lampard got his first win since returning to Chelsea with a 3-1 away victory against Bournemouth.

There were also 1-0 wins for Tottenham against Crystal Palace and for Wolves versus Aston Villa.

With that win, City move four points clear at the top of the Premier League and are now unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions.

For Leeds, they remain above the drop only on goal difference. Nottingham Forest and Everton play on Monday, both with the chance to move above Leeds and out of the relegation zone.

It’s nowhere near as comfortable as City would have liked in the end but it’s three points nevertheless with a 2-1 win against Leeds. A first-half brace from Gundogan in the first half set City on their way and they could have had more but Haaland failed to convert several good chances.

City should have moved 3-0 when Foden was hauled down in the 84th minute but Gundogan would hit the post with his effort from the spot.

And Leeds, who barely threatened throughout the encounter, then provided a late scare for the hosts after Rodrigo fired home less than a minute later.

City held on, though, and it’s another step closer to the Premier League title for Guardiola’s side.

90+3 mins: Yellow card. McKennie barges over Gundogan and is shown a yellow card. Now City’s goalscorer makes way - there won’t be a hat-trick after that missed penalty but it’s still a match-winning performance from the German as things stand.