Liverpool resume their Premier League title charge on Saturday afternoon when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford.
The Reds bounced back from a disappointing 3-1 away defeat to Arsenal by beating Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. They remain perched at the summit of the table, two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City having played a game more.
Jurgen Klopp’s side can go temporarily at the top of the table by beating Brentford, who beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 away last time out.
Liverpool Team News
Mohamed Salah has been pictured back in training for the first time on Wednesday since a hamstring injury prematurely ended his AFCON campaign with Egypt. He could be involved against Brentford on Saturday along with Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez, who missed the 3-1 win over Burnley through illness.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a period on the sidelines with a knee injury, while Dominik Szoboszlai remains a major doubt. Conor Bradley is back as well after compassionate leave, whereas Ibrahima Konate is available again after serving a one-game ban.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Alisson Becker missed the Burnley game due to illness but was spotted back in training earlier this week and should replace Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
Defence
Conor Bradley could get the nod over Joe Gomez to deputise for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. Andy Robertson made his first start since returning from long-term last Saturday and looked at home, meaning the Scotsman is likely to retain his spot at left-back.
The full-backs will be key in Liverpool’s build-up play as well as offering help to the centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The Reds’ defensive quartet have to be robust and disciplined throughout the game to stop the Ivan Toney-led Brentford attack from scoring.
Midfield
Wataru Endo should act as a shield in front of the back four, with Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones joining the Japanese in the Liverpool engine room. The trio must aim to take control of the game as quickly as possible, recycle possession well and create chances for the forward as well as disrupt Brentford’s rhythm.
Harvey Elliot and Ryan Gravenberch could be called on from the bench when the visitors need more solidity and legs in the middle of the park.
Attack
Diogo Jota is in sparkling form and deserves to keep his place in the first XI. Darwin Nunez scored in the 3-1 win over Burnley last weekend and should be tasked with leading the Liverpool attack again. While Mohamed Salah is back in training, Jurgen Klopp could stick with Luis Diaz out wide.
With their pace, flair and movement, the troika of Nunez, Diaz and Jota could give Brentford defenders a run for their money at the Gtech Community Stadium.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.