Liverpool are struggling right now, and Brentford will look to take advantage of their vulnerability in the game vs the Premier League champions this weekend. The Bees have a poor record against Liverpool, and it will be interesting to see if they can make amends.
Keith Andrews’s men will need to raise their performance levels to get the job done. Brentford have picked up three wins and two defeats from their last five matches in all competitions. They have the quality to trouble Liverpool, and it remains to be seen how the match unfolds.
Meanwhile, Liverpool ended their four-match losing streak with a victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League during the midweek. They picked up a 5-1 victory away from home, and it will have given them a much-needed confidence boost. It remains to be seen whether they can get back to winning ways in the league now. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Aaron Hickey, Joshua Dasilva, and Antoni Milambo are in the treatment room due to their knee injuries. However, Paris Maghoma is available after recovering from a hamstring issue. Brentford will start in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Liverpool, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
Michael Kayode and Rico Henry will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight defensively and help out in the final third as well. Nathan Collins will form the central defensive partnership alongside Sepp van den Berg.
As for the midfield unit, Mathias Jensen and Yehor Yarmolyuk will look to protect the back four and win the ball back for their side. Mikkel Damsgaard will start as the central attacking midfielder, and he will link up with the attacking players and help open up opportunities in the final third.
Keane Lewis-Potter and Fabio Carvalho will start on the flanks. They will look to open up the opposition defence with their pace, flair, and movement. Finally, Igor Thiago will lead the line for Brentford vs Liverpool this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry; Yarmolyuk, Jensen; Carvalho, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Thiago
Arne Slot will be without Giovanni Leoni (knee), Ryan Gravenberch (ankle), Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Alexander Isak (groin), and Alisson Becker (hamstring) due to their fitness issues. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Brentford, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal.
Conor Bradley and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will pair up at the heart of the defence alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai could start in the double pivot. They will look to control the game from the deep. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will start on the flanks here.
The wide duo will look to add goals and creativity from the wide areas. Florian Wirtz will look to open up opportunities for his teammates in the number ten role. Hugo Ekitike is set to spearhead the Liverpool attack vs Brentford on Saturday.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvilli, Bradley, van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
The Liverpool striker is our key player to watch out for. The French international was handed a start against Eintracht Frankfurt in the midweek UEFA Champions League clash, and he produced another strong display. He managed to get on the score sheet against his former club.
Ekitike has been outstanding since the move to the Premier League club. There is no doubt that he is the best performer out of all summer signings at Liverpool. He will look to help create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net once again. Liverpool will need him to step up and produce in the final third.
This will be a tricky outing for Liverpool, and Brentford will look to make the most of their troubles. The Bees have been a very direct team under Keith Andrews, and they could cause all sorts of problems for Liverpool.
The Premier League champions have struggled against direct teams using long balls against them, and Brentford are likely to take up a similar approach. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, but the home team could edge this one. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Keith Andrews and his charges.
