Brentford vs Liverpool: Preview, Team News & Predictions
Liverpool are set to be welcomed by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in the first of their two-match day 25 fixtures, on Saturday, February 17th.
Still atop the table despite Manchester City’s midseason surge, the Reds brushed aside Burnley after there was nothing to separate the two teams come the first half. They’ve now lost just two of their last 35 games in the Premier League, and a narrow two-point lead at the top underscores the log jam at the top half of the standings.
Also read: Liverpool’s 5 Biggest Wins Under Jurgen Klopp
They convincingly beat an under-fire Brentford side 3-0 in the reverse fixture in November, courtesy of a brace from Mohamed Salah.
Thomas Frank’s side have been marred with injuries and Ivan Toney’s lengthy suspension. The forward has returned in some style though, scoring thrice in four games and bagging an assist.
Their 2-0 win at the Molineux must have been a relieving sight for the Bees faithful, who are closer to the dreaded dotted lines at the bottom than the top half of the ladder. In what’s poised to be an intriguing clash of styles, we dive into the details of this weekend’s opener.
Team News
Brentford
The Londoners will be sweating the fitness of midfield engine Mathias Jensen, who was forced off in the 69th minute of their last game.
Star winger Bryan Mbeumo continues to be entrenched on the sidelines, as is Kevin Schade, Aaron Hickey, and Rico Henry. The latter’s replacement, Sergio Reguilon, has slotted into the team’s setup wonderfully, already demonstrating shades of his free-flowing style and attacking ability at left-back.
The Bees also snapped up Igor Thiago from Club Brugge, with the forward expected to join the squad on July 1st.
Liverpool
Liverpool talisman Salah, who is the league’s most prolific returner, was seen in full team training. Conor Bradley was as well, after having missed the last week due to compassionate leave from the club.
His exploits will be needed as Trent Alexander-Arnold is all but expected to miss out in the double game week and, potentially, the EFL Cup final against Chelsea.
Ibrahima Konate returns from his suspension and could feature in one of the two matches, while Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez have recovered from the flu that cast doubts over many first team players’ involvement last weekend.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Ben Doak, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are all still in the treatment room.
Predicted XI
Brentford (3-5-2): Flekken; Collins, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Janelt, Jensen, Norgaard, Reguilon; Toney, Maupay
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Endo, Mac Allister; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
Match Prediction
Frank’s side tend to enjoy the high-profile matches with their flat back five. Ivan Toney’s presence up front, combined with his physicality and threat from set pieces puts Brentford in a better position than they were when the two sides last faced-off.
However, Liverpool have hit top gear in Jurgen Klopp’s swansong and their second-half comebacks this season are proof of how they can hurt the Bees in their own backyard.
Predicted score: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Kevin Walsh. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.