Liverpool welcome Thomas Frank’s Brentford to Anfield on Sunday, aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side lost a five-goal thriller to Toulouse in the Europa League on Thursday evening, failing to bounce back from the disappointing 1-1 draw with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League last weekend.
However, a return to Anfield comforts is exactly what was needed for the Reds, who are third in the table and boast a flawless record of eight wins from their eight home games in all competitions so far this campaign.
Liverpool Team News
Alexis Mac Allister is suspended for the visit of Brentford after picking up his fifth yellow card of the league season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town. Virgil van Dijk (illness) and Ryan Gravenberch (knee) missed Thursday’s Europa League defeat to Toulouse, but the Dutch duo are expected to recover in time for the clash against Brentford on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones (hamstring), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) remain on the treatment table for the Reds.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker should return to the Liverpool goal on Sunday, demoting Caoimhin Kelleher back down to the bench. The Brazilian shot-stopper will want to continue his fine form and keep a clean sheet at home.
Defence
Jurgen Klopp hopes to have Virgil van Dijk back from illness to face Thomas Frank’s side. Van Dijk should partner Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, and the duo must work hard to keep a pacey Brentford attack at bay.
Trent Alexander-Arnold walks back into the starting XI after coming as a substitute in midweek, while Kostas Tsimikas’ costly error for Toulouse’s opener could prompt Klopp to use Joe Gomez ahead of the Greek at left-back.
Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister’s absence should open the door for Wataru Endo to start in the No.6 role against Brentford. He will be responsible for intercepting the opposition attacks and keeping things moving for the Reds.
Ryan Gravenberch is expected to recover from a knee injury in time to face the Bees. However, Klopp may not fancy putting the Dutchman straight into the starting XI, so there is a chance of Harvey Elliot starting alongside Dominik Szoboszlai as the No.8s. The onus will be on Elliot and Szoboszlai to dictate the tempo of Liverpool’s play and carve open the well-drilled Brentford defence.
Attack
Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo are all expected to form the Liverpool attack after starting the game at Toulouse on the bench. This will see Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Ben Doak drop to the bench.
Nunez has been in good nick of late and will pose a threat for the visitors. Salah and Jota should hope to stretch the Brentford defence and provide service for Nunez in the box. If Liverpool need fresh legs and impetus in attack, Klopp could bring on Gakpo and Nunez.
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.
