Match Preview: Liverpool Must Back Up Frankfurt Win Against Brentford
It's time to get Liverpool's title defence back on track...
Liverpool head into their Premier League clash against Brentford under the GTech lights with renewed energy, but no room for error. After four consecutive defeats in all competitions, the emphatic 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek has momentarily steadied the ship. But with Manchester City and Arsenal setting an unforgiving pace at the top, anything short of three points in west London risks turning recovery into relapse.
Brentford, once tipped to fall away after a summer of upheaval, have quietly found their feet under Keith Andrews. They are no longer the surprise package, but a side with enough know-how and physicality to frustrate anyone. Liverpool will need a mature and composed performance to leave the capital with the win they desperately require.
Brentford Rebuild Well Despite Big Summer Losses
Many expected Brentford to collapse this season. Their talismanic manager Thomas Frank departed, their top two scorers from last year — Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa — were sold, and their squad was reshaped around youth and experience in equal measure. Yet here they are, sitting 13th with ten points from eight games and carrying genuine threat.
One of the success stories has been Igor Thiago, a player who has massively suffered from injuries in the past, now among the Premier League’s top scorers. Quick, strong and direct, his combination of movement and strength poses a unique threat, particularly when targeting the spaces between Liverpool’s full-backs and centre-halves. He’s a player Liverpool must keep quiet if they’re to leave with the win.
Add to that a spine featuring former Reds like Jordan Henderson, Sepp van den Berg, Fabio Carvalho, and Caoimhin Kelleher, and the emotional stakes rise. Henderson, in particular, has experienced an impressive career resurgence. His leadership and passing range have become vital to Brentford’s stability. Against Liverpool, he’ll be more motivated than ever to prove he still belongs among the elite.
Direct Threat: Liverpool’s Ongoing Battle With Set Pieces and Second Balls
One of Liverpool’s biggest problems during their recent slump has been defending set pieces and second balls. Brentford, under new management, have doubled down on directness, using long throws and corners to unsettle opponents. Their long throw specialists can launch missiles into the six-yard box — it’s one of the best weapons in the league.
This won’t be a game decided by intricate passing triangles or patient build-up play. Brentford will go long, challenge for knockdowns and hope to profit from chaos. And Liverpool must meet that challenge head on.
Too often in recent weeks, the Reds have failed to win those battles. Van Dijk and Konate must command the air. The midfield, likely led by Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, needs to sweep up those second balls quickly. There’s no tactical complexity here. It’s all about physicality, positioning and attitude. The kind of fight Liverpool showed against Frankfurt has to be on display again — or Brentford will make it count.
Liverpool Team News
Alisson Becker is out with a hamstring injury, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will likely continue in goal. Brentford will test him, not just with shots, but by swarming the box. Mamardashvili’s ability to dominate his area could be the difference between a nervy draw and a hard-fought win.
In defence, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni are both injured, leaving Conor Bradley likely to start at right back. Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez are battling for the left-back slot. With Brentford targeting aerial bombardments, the more experienced Robertson might get the nod, even if his legs are still catching up to full match fitness.
Midfield selection is less straightforward. Ryan Gravenberch is a doubt, and Alexis Mac Allister’s form remains patchy. Jones and Szoboszlai should start. The final spot may go to Florian Wirtz, who adds incisiveness in the final third. His positioning will be crucial — too deep, and Liverpool lose attacking edge. Too high, and Brentford could dominate the midfield scraps.
Up front, Mohamed Salah is expected to return. After being rested against Frankfurt, the Egyptian will be desperate to respond with a decisive performance. It’s not been his sharpest start to a season, but dropping him again would cause more questions than answers. Alongside him, Cody Gakpo should keep his place on the left, while Hugo Ekitike leads the line in the absence of Alexander Isak.
Ekitike’s recent form is a massive boost. He gives Liverpool an outlet, wins duels, links play, and most importantly, scores goals. If Brentford concentrate too much on Salah, Ekitike has all the tools to punish them.
My Prediction
Brentford have weapons. Their set-piece delivery is lethal, their striker is in form, and they’ll have a lively GTech behind them. But Liverpool, at their best, are a level above. They showed in Frankfurt they can respond to adversity. They pressed with intensity, moved the ball quickly, and made the most of their chances.
That must continue here. There’s no excuse for Liverpool to slip again. Title challenges are built on nights like these unglamorous, bruising, awkward affairs.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Szoboszlai, Jones, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.
Score prediction: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool.