Liverpool return to Premier League duty by hosting Brentford at Anfield on Sunday, seeking to respond following a 1-1 draw at Luton Town and 3-2 Europa League defeat at Toulouse.
The Reds managed to pinch a point late against Luton at Kenilworth Road but were stunned by a struggling Toulouse side in France in the midweek Europa League group-stage fixture. Jurgen Klopp will not be happy with how his team have started November, with the German tactician admitting that his side’s performance left a lot to be desired last weekend.
However, a return to Anfield should comfort the Merseysiders and they will be confident of beating Brentford, who beat London rivals West Ham in their last game.
Liverpool Team News
Alexis Mac Allister picked up his fifth yellow card of the league season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town, ruling him out of the visit of Brentford. He joins Curtis Jones (hamstring), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) on Liverpool’s casualty list.
Virgil van Dijk (illness) and Ryan Gravenberch (knee) also missed Thursday’s Europa League loss to Toulouse, although Klopp confirmed that Van Dijk should recover in time to face the Bees.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker should return to the Liverpool goal on Sunday, and the Brazilian will demote Caoimhin Kelleher back down to the bench.
Defence
Klopp hopes to have Virgil van Dijk back from illness to face the Bees. The Dutchman should partner Ibrahima Konate in central defence in front of Alisson, with Trent Alexander-Arnold operating from the right-back position.
Kostas Tsimikas made a costly error for Toulouse’s opener before being taken off at the break, which could prompt Klopp to start Joe Gomez ahead of the Greek at left-back.
Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister’s absence should see Wataru Endo start as Liverpool’s number six. The Japanese will be tasked with dictating the tempo of the game whilst allowing Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo the freedom to push forward and cause damage in the final third.
Szoboszlai and Gakpo’s running power, vision and flair will be required to unlock Brentford’s rigid backline. If Ryan Gravenberch is passed fit, he should likely be available for some minutes off the bench.
Attack
Klopp will likely freshen up his attack with the reintroductions of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. Nunez should lead the Liverpool line, with Salah and Jota flanking the Uruguayan. The trio have the qualities to stretch and hurt an otherwise tight Bees’ backline.
Luis Diaz, who scored the stoppage-time equaliser at Luton last weekend, could be involved at some point in the second half along with Ben Doak.