Liverpool's mini Premier League revival was ended emphatically as they went down to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford.The Reds had won four league games on the bounce before heading to west London, boosting hopes that a poor start to the campaign was little more than a blip.However, they reached half-time 2-0 down thanks to an Ibrahima Konate own goal and Montrezl Harrell Jersey a Yoane Wi sa strike, and were fortunate that the linesman's flag spared them the conce sion of two further goals.Hopes of an unlikely comeback were fuelled shortly after the break when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted and Darwin Nunez had a goal ruled out.But Brentford sealed three points they fully deserved in the dying moments as Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on weak defending from Konate to finish past Ali son Becker.MORE: 1H 2H Final Brentford213Liverpool011Goals:Ibrahima Konate o.g. (19), Yoane Wi sa (42), Bryan Mbuemo (84); Oxlade-Chamberlain (50) 1. Cody Gakpo not enough to fix thisLiverpool have already acknowledged that their squad needed retooling in the January window by bringing in Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven. But if they were under the impre sion that signing the Dutchman would be enough to fix this me s, then tonight's performance at Brentford showed up that belief. The current crop of players have now proven enough times that they are incapable of sorting this out - further help is needed in this window.MORE:2. Midfield still a me sOf course, the obvious problem area is a central midfield that has looked porous no matter who has started in there Avery Bradley Jersey this season. It says it all that the small improvement seen in that part of the pitch in the second half was brought about by Naby Keita - a man with no future at the club. Liverpool have no long-term options in the engine room or, in fact, anyone they can rely on to perform consistently in that area in the short term and that simply has to be corrected.Brentford go up 3-1 and Bryan Mbeumo hits 'The Silencer'!: | NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) 3. Darwin Nunez a major i sueFor all the attention Liverpool's midfield gets, it is also worth mentioning that their big-money summer signing at the top end of the pitch is yet to hit the heights. There were major green shoots evident during a run of seven goals in 10 games prior to the World Cup, but Nunez has been back to his worst since returning. This was a fourth straight game in which he mi sed some huge opportunities, struggled to stay onside, and left a lot to be desired with his contribution to the build-up. He is now costing the Reds games.4. Liverpool concede first - againGiven all the i sues Liverpool are currently battling, they could do without making games difficult for themselves from the off. But that is what they did again here in conceding the first goal in a match for the 13th time in all competitions. That might not have been an i sue for a quadruple-chasing juggernaut toward the back end of last season, but the current crop simply don't have it in them to launch consistent comebacks.5. Klopp's in-game management questionableThat Liverpool managed to get to halftime not just a single goal Landry Shamet Jersey down owed more to luck and VAR than their high line actually doing its job. And that makes you wonder why Klopp did not make his changes earlier given that it was obvious to everyone in attendance that the hosts had all the momentum and were about to double their advantage. The German's changes at the break actually allowed his team to wrestle some momentum back but, because of his hesitance in the first half, it was too little too late.6. No Ivan Toney, no problemBrentford were given an unwelcome taste of what life might be like without Ivan Toney for this game, the striker sitting out with a knee injury sustained against West Ham. But the good news for Thomas Frank and co. is that it seems they can cope just fine without their talismanic striker - in the short term, at least.MORE:7. Brentford extend remarkable recordIt might not have felt like it at the time, but those who watch Brentford closely will know that the three points were e sentially in the bag once Konate put through his own net. That is because the Bees have won every single Premier League game in which they have gone ahead - an incredible record for a Chris Paul Jersey side so new to the division.8. Bees' home atmosphere a key strengthThe hosts were certainly helped in holding on to their lead in this one by a home crowd who gave everything to get their team over the line. This is not the first time that the incredible atmosphere at the Brentford Community Stadium has played a key role in a big Premier League fixture and it won't be the last.The ball hits Ben Mee then gets diverted by Konate for the own goal. : | NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) 9. Virgil van Dijk injury le s significant than beforeIn previous years, the sight of Virgil van Dijk on the bench with strapping on his legs would have sent shivers down the spine of any Liverpool fan, such was his importance. But it says a lot that it wasn't initially obvious that the Dutchman hadn't been withdrawn for tactical reasons rather Louis Williams Jersey than physical ones. Providing he is not facing a lengthy lay-off, the Dutchman needs to rediscover his best form quickly.10. Flawed rivals can aid LiverpoolThis is not the first time this season that Liverpool have looked like a team with no chance of a top-four finish. That Klopp's men have put themselves within touching distance of those positions recently says everything about the flaws of their rivals and gives hope that, with so much of the campaign remaining, Champions League qualification isn't out of the question. Still, huge improvements are needed.