Liverpool v Brentford ratings: Fabinho 8, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7; Ajer 4, Toney 5

Liverpool ease to 3-0 Premier League victory at Anfield

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6: The Brazilian had a quiet afternoon. He dealt easily with a meek shot from Toney and was watchful during Brentford’s brief spell of pressure. Getty

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7: The 23-year-old misses Salah but still managed to be creative with his crosses and shooting. He pinged in the corner for the first goal. PA

Joel Matip - 7: The 30-year-old was calm, sharp when covering and held his own in the air. One misplaced pass offered Toney a chance but did not spoil his performance. AP

Virgil van Dijk - 7: The Dutchman struggled against Toney in the reverse fixture but was more assured here. He was composed, assertive and supplied some penetrating forward passes. Reuters

Andrew Robertson - 7: The Scot was below par in the first half but improved after the break when his distribution began to have more impact. His pass set up the second goal. AFP

Jordan Henderson - 6: The captain was eager but sometimes profligate in possession. He exerted more control as the game went on and helped wear Brentford down. AP

Fabinho - 8: The Brazilian got stuck in, won the midfield battle and used the ball well when in possession. He opened the scoring and threatened in the second half. AP

Curtis Jones - 8: The 20-year-old worried the defence with his direct running. One mazy second half dribble left his opponents bewildered. He was a real scoring threat. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7: The 28-year-old’s headed goal was the highlight of a neat, lively display. He limped off with 16 minutes to go. PA

Roberto Firmino - 7: The Brazilian linked play and added some incisive touches. His pressing forced the third goal. AFP

Diogo Jota of Liverpool - 6: The Portuguese was not close to his best He was unlucky to hit the post but his touch was off. Getty

Takumi Minamino - (On for Oxlade-Chamberlain 74') 7: The Japanese scored almost immediately to put the game beyond Brentford’s reach. AFP

SUBS: James Milner - (On for Firmino 78') N/A. He was as solid and combative as usual. Getty

Kaide Gordon - (On for Jota 82'). N/A. The 17-year-old almost crowned his Premier League debut with a goal but Alvaro stopped his effort. Getty

BRENTFORD RATINGS: Alvaro Fernandez - 5: The Spaniard made a fine save from Van Dijk and could do little about the first two goals. Any good work was overshadowed by his part in gifting Liverpool their third goal. Getty

Kristoffer Ajer - 4: The Norwegian should have stopped Fabinho on the opening goal but was not strong enough. His positioning was questionable at times. Reuters

Pontus Jansson - 6: The Swede made an early error but bounced back effectively. He was good in the air and firm in the tackle. EPA

Ethan Pinnock - 4: The 28-year-old had the opportunity to cut out the danger before the first two goals. He made plenty of blocks but his lapses cost the team. Reuters

Mads Roerslev - 5: The Dane’s passing verged on scattergun but he helped keep Jota quiet. He was nervous under pressure. AFP

Shandon Baptiste - 5: Engaged in battle with Fabinho and did well initially but faded as the game went on. Getty

Christian Norgaard - 4: set up a fine chance for Mbeumo but went to sleep on the edge of his own box for Liverpool’s third goal. He was anonymous for long periods. AFP

Vitaly Janelt - 5: German was workmanlike and provided width but had little creative spark. He needs more end product. Reuters

Rico Henry - 6: The 24-year-old was battling to hold his own against Alexander-Arnold when injury forced him off the pitch four minutes after half time. PA

Bryan Mbeumo - 6: Frenchman worked hard but provided a poor ball to Toney in a dangerous situation late in the first half. He produced a good turn and shot in the Liverpool area but was off balance. AFP

Ivan Toney - 5: A quiet day for the 25-year-old, who was unable to put real pressure on Van Dijk. He shot straight at Alisson when free in the area. Reuters

SUBS: Sergi Canos - (On for Henry 49') 4: The former Liverpool winger should have been more aware of the danger before Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal. AFP

Yoane Wissa - (On for Baptiste 68') 5: The 25-year-old had a huge impact and scored in the reverse fixture but Liverpool were ready for him this time. Reuters Mathias Jensen - (On for Mbeumo 75') N/A.

Liverpool eased to a comfortable 3-0 Premier League win over Brentford at Anfield on Sunday.

Despite Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane being away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Jurgen Klopp's side brushed aside the Bees thanks to goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and substitute Takumi Minamino.

The win took Liverpool up to second in the table, 11 points behind leaders Manchester City but with a game in hand on Pep Guardiola's reigning champions.

They may be missing their leading scorer in Salah but the Reds still have the top assist provider and Alexander-Arnold produced his 10th in 21 matches with the corner from which Fabinho nodded home at the far post.

The second goal eventually arrived with 20 minutes to go when Andy Robertson’s teasing left-wing cross was met by Oxlade-Chamberlain’s diving header at the far post.

It was his last intervention as he departed with an ankle injury to further increase Klopp’s headache up front but his replacement Minamino made an instant impact by side-footing the ball home after a mistake in the Brentford defence.

You can see the player ratings from Anfield in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.