Brentford levelled their best-ever Premier League finish with a 1-1 final-day draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday - and came within inches of qualifying for European football for the first time in the club’s history.

All square after Kevin Schade's stooping header had cancelled out Curtis Jones’ 58th-minute opener for the hosts, the Bees made life difficult for the 2024/25 champions and a defining moment of their season arrived deep into stoppage-time.

With almost 100 minutes on the clock, Vitaly Janelt swung an inviting cross into the box from the left and there was Dango Ouattara amid a sea of red shirts - Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez caught underneath the ball on the edge of the six-yard area - but the Burkina Faso international’s header flew half a yard over the bar with Alisson rooted to the spot.

It was an emotional and dramatic end to the Bees’ first campaign under Keith Andrews, and afterwards the Irish head coach spoke of the pride he felt following a “special season”.

Andrews has frequently referenced his desire to make Brentford “horrible” to play against, and his side stifled Liverpool for long periods on an afternoon that also served as a farewell occasion for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson at Anfield.

Former Red Caoimhín Kelleher excelled between the sticks for the visitors and produced a string of outstanding stops, including a full-length save to deny Ryan Gravenberch and a late block from Florian Wirtz.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper racked up more Premier League minutes (3,330) than any other Brentford player during his debut season in TW8, while his seven saves and three high claims on Sunday offered another reminder of the consistency and authority he has brought to the Bees’ backline.

Any immediate disappointment from missing out on Europe is tempered by the scale of what Brentford achieved under Andrews in his first season in charge.

Ninth in the table, the Bees matched their best-ever Premier League finish, while their draw against Arne Slot's side marked their first point at Anfield since being promoted to the top flight five years ago.

Furthermore, Schade's diving header from Keane-Lewis Potter's deflected cross was Brentford's first goal at the ground for more than 50 years - since Roger Cross netted in a 2-1 League Cup defeat on Merseyside back in 1974.

In terms of local bragging rights, the Bees also finished above every other London club aside from Premier League champions Arsenal this season.

Brentford ultimately fell agonisingly short of Europe on goal difference, but they have evolved into a resilient and highly effective outfit under Andrews, whose nomination for the Premier League Manager of the Season award underlines what an outstanding debut campaign in senior management he has enjoyed.