Given the frailties shown throughout this season, one could never fully trust Liverpool not to chuck away the one-hand-and-four-finger grasp they had on Champions League qualification.
Even if they lost and Bournemouth won, the scenario was highly unlikely as a six-goal swing in goal difference was needed – though the Cherries did beat Nottingham Forest 5-0 last season and Liverpool lost to Brentford earlier this term.
Stranger things have happened and all that, though the improbable and near-impossible nature of that collapse – coupled with the scorching weather – meant Anfield was a location populated with the lesser-spotted feeling of calm and relaxation.
It was also, of course, the big farewell party. Mo Salah and Andy Robertson were both on their leaving do after nine trophy-laden, glorious years that saw them scale many heights, awaken a sleeping giant and transform it into a super-power once more.
Neither could lead their team to one final victory but they booked their place in Europe’s top competition with a draw against a spirited Brentford who missed out on a Conference League spot by the skin of their teeth after missing a last-gasp chance that looked easier to score than head over.
Mohamed Salah (left) departed Liverpool by teeing up Curtis Jones in a draw with Brentford
Salah was in tears at the final whistle on a day where Liverpool sealed Champions League spot
With the sun beaming down on L4, Salah and Robertson could bask in the heat and reflect on everything they achieved here: a Champions League, two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Salah leaves knowing his place in the pantheon is secured. The kids of today will grow up and talk about him in the same way their elders now discuss Sir Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Ian Rush.
The debate will rage on about where he stands in the all-time list but for all the trophies, match-winning games and his journey from rural Egypt to the top of European football, there is no doubting he is in the conversation at least to be the greatest.
Robertson, meanwhile, deserves just as much praise. Signed for just £8million from soon-to-be Premier League Hull City – fancy a return, Robbo? – the Scotsman sums up the data-led Moneyball recruitment success over the last decade as much as anyone.
The pair were serenaded before, during and after the match with mosaics in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and Kop End. Just like two years ago when Jurgen Klopp departed, it felt like the end of an era.
Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson also received a rousing reception on his first appearance back at Anfield since his exit in 2023, while former goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher also had his name sung by the Kop on his comeback.
Some Brentford fans joined in applause for the departing Reds but they were not here simply to enjoy a party. They knew a win could take them into European football for the first time.
When Kevin Schade equalised midway through the second half, the travelling Bees started to believe that was possible and started chanting about being a ‘bus stop in Hounslow’.
Regardless of the outcome, what a journey they have been on and what a stellar job Keith Andrews has done in his debut managerial season of a team that was tipped for relegation when several key men departed last summer.
It was a day of emotional farewells as Andy Robertson played his last game for Liverpool
Emotions flowed for Brentford, too, as they missed out on qualifying for Europe next season
Slot will be hoping his team also improve after losing their best player. With talisman Salah exiting the club, Liverpool lose their goal-scorer and creator-in-chief, even if this final season has been blighted by a dip in form and a fallout with the head coach.
The Egyptian had multiple chances for one final Anfield goal, most notably a first-half free-kick that kissed the post on its way through.
As it was, Salah had to settle for an assist as he put the ball on a plate for Curtis Jones – another with an uncertain future given interest in signing him – to score a tap-in. It was vintage Salah, making something happen out of nothing.
It meant that he ended the season on 23 goal involvements. Even in his worst campaign in a Liverpool shirt, Salah still scored and assisted more goals than most forwards would dream of.
But in typical fashion for Slot’s side, they did not make their lead count and instead retreated backwards. Brentford grew in confidence and were soon level through Schade with a tidy finish.
He should have scored earlier in the match but was denied by Alisson’s foot in what was one of the saves of the season. Another with question marks over his head, it was a moment to prove why the Brazil No 1 is indispensable to Liverpool.
Brentford really should have won this match and Andrews fell to his knees when Dango Ouattara headed over when unmarked five yards out in the 99th minute.
It led to a weird post-match mood at Anfield, as the Kop sang ‘don’t worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be all right’.
Every little thing will probably be all right but on the back of this torrid season, with two greats – at least – departing, the mood is much more gloomy than it was 12 months ago.
