BEES STING EX-BOSS WARBURTON

FOR a team unbeaten in their last 27 Premier League matches, Liverpool sure get some searching analysis.

Are their strikers really on form yet? Is the defence vulnerable? And most common, is the midfield good enough?

They have actually been defeated once in their last 49 league games. In contrast, Spurs lost 11 of their last 24.

Yet, for much of their Anfield visit on Sunday, the critical focus appeared to fall on the Reds and a midfield often accused of being one-dimensional.

Jordan Henderson is used to that unflattering spotlight. True, he’s had acclaim, most notably lifting the Champions League last term, when his unselfish work arrived firmly on centre stage. But there are always harsher voices, questioning his creativity, criticising his goal contributions.

With Alex Oxlade-chamberlain scoring twice in the last round of Champions League games, there was momentum behind a change to the established order.

Henderson responded with a vital equaliser in the win over Spurs. Afterwards, though, he patiently walked his detractors through the requirements of a Jurgen Klopp midfield. First and foremost it is understanding and implementing the system.

“As long as we win games, the midfielders can contribute in other ways,” he explained. “It’s not always goals.

“Now and again it’s nice to get on the scoresheet, but for us it’s about performance. It’s about working together as a team and it doesn’t matter who scores.” the Livingston game to rest him with Hearts playing so many games at present,” Mccarthy said. “And I spoke to Shane and he missed the Everton game as a precaution. He got a kick on his calf in training.

“They felt it was better not to take a chance on involving him for that one but he says he will be fine for us.”

Mccarthy was at that Brighton win over Everton and the Ireland boss was impressed with Ireland newcomer Aaron Connolly.

Mccarthy said: “It was the sort of game where he didn’t get a lot of the ball but everything that he did do was very good.

“He won the penalty for their second goal just before he went off by getting right in behind the defender.”

Henderson’s strike against Spurs was his first Anfield goal since 2015

promotion credentials against the club he managed for two years. But in this west London derby, they were undone by a Bees side who are finding some momentum. Brentford started on the front foot and took the lead in the 23rd minute when Bryan Mbeumo floated a superb cross in from the right towards Watkins (left), who found space between Rangers’ centrebacks to head in. But Warburton’s side were immediately more positive after the break as Ebere Eze swung in a cross and Nahki Wells connected with a powerful header that keeper David Raya did well to save. But the Bees’ relief was short-lived and Raya was unable to do anything about Grant

OLLIE WATKINS scored twice as Brentford made it three wins on the bounce and wrecked QPR’S hopes of moving up to second. Rangers manager Mark Warburton had hoped his side would confirm their

IMPRESSIVE Aaron Connolly caught eye