Joe Cole tears into Liverpool duo Van Dijk and Konate after Brentford setback
Former England midfielder Joe Cole has voiced sharp criticism of Liverpool’s defensive display in their 3–2 defeat to Brentford, singling out Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for what he described as “awful” defending.
Cole questions defensive standards
Liverpool’s trip to west London ended in frustration as Brentford, revitalised under new boss Keith Andrews, exposed defensive lapses that proved costly. Goals from Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade handed the Bees a commanding first-half lead, before Milos Kerkez pulled one back to offer brief hope.
However, any momentum was short-lived. Igor Thiago’s penalty after the break restored Brentford’s cushion, and although Mohamed Salah netted late on, it proved too little, too late for Arne Slot’s side.
Speaking during TNT Sports’ half-time analysis, Cole did not hold back. Reviewing Schade’s goal, he said: “The defending is awful from Van Dijk and Konate. It’s a lovely pass and a great finish, but you simply can’t defend like that at this level.”
The former Liverpool man added that Kerkez also endured a poor opening 45 minutes, remarking: “Kerkez had an awful first half. He’ll be disappointed with his positioning and reactions.”
Chaos and inconsistency plague Liverpool’s back line
Fellow pundit Steve McManaman echoed Cole’s frustrations, describing Liverpool as “chaotic and all over the place at times.” He pointed out how the team were fortunate to have scored before the break to stay in the game. “I thought Kerkez struggled, and Wirtz looked weak in the duels,” McManaman added.
Defensive disorganisation has been a recurring theme in recent weeks for Slot’s side, with the normally dependable Van Dijk and Konate looking increasingly unsettled. For Van Dijk, once hailed as the league’s most commanding centre-half, this performance marked another concerning dip in authority. Konate, meanwhile, appeared rash and reactive, struggling to contain Brentford’s direct and energetic forwards.
Cole praises Brentford’s evolution under Andrews
While Liverpool’s shortcomings dominated post-match discussions, Cole was quick to highlight Brentford’s tactical maturity under Keith Andrews. “There was drama, quality and passion,” he said. “Andrews has come in and taken the baton from Thomas Frank, pushing this club further up the table. This is Brentford’s moment — a wonderful team performance.”
Andrews’ side combined structure with aggression, pressing Liverpool high and capitalising on defensive errors. Their balance between defensive discipline and attacking fluidity was a clear contrast to the disjointed visitors.
Slot admits ‘basics not done right’
Post-match, Arne Slot cut a reflective figure when speaking to the BBC. “I have a clear idea of where we have to improve,” he said. “We didn’t do the basics right today. It’s a disappointing result and a disappointing performance.”
The Liverpool manager lamented the nature of the goals conceded: “The first was from a set-piece, the second from a counter-attack — exactly what Brentford excel at. We didn’t defend either situation well enough. When you concede three, it’s very hard to win a football match.”
Slot did, however, find one minor positive in Salah’s goal. “It’s always a good sign when he’s scoring. It was a great finish,” he added.
Defensive rethink ahead
As the Premier League season progresses, Liverpool’s defensive issues remain a growing concern. Van Dijk’s leadership and Konate’s consistency are critical to the team’s stability, but both appear short of confidence and rhythm. Cole’s blunt assessment may sting, but it reflects a wider unease about Liverpool’s resilience against well-drilled sides.
With challenging fixtures on the horizon, Slot faces the urgent task of re-establishing defensive cohesion. For all Liverpool’s attacking flair, their ability to compete at the top may rest on whether Van Dijk and Konate can rediscover the solidity that once defined their partnership.
