Liverpool vs Brentford – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we take a look at Brentford’s trip to Anfield. The record between these two sides is W1, D1, L1 – will this be close? Free betting tips and more with our Liverpool vs Brentford prediction.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Liverpool:

Might Not Play: Oxlade-Chamberlain

Will Not Play: Thiago, Ramsay, Bajcetic, Keita, Firmino

Brentford:

Might Not Play: Ajer

Will Not Play: Strakosha, Jansson, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard

Liverpool vs Brentford Lineups (Predicted)

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Jones, Elliott; Nunez, Gakpo, Salah

Brentford (3-5-2): Raya; Mee, Pinnock, Zanka; Henry, Jensen, Onyeka, Janelt, Roerslev; Toney, Mbeumo

Liverpool vs Brentford Analysis

Liverpool Must Keep Winning and Try To Control This Game

Liverpool come into this game having played well and winning games recently. They played in midweek, so technically Brentford should have a freshness advantage. However, Liverpool are a side that tend to control matches and keep possession. At Anfield, in particular, Liverpool often fly out of the blocks and try to put their opponents under immense pressure. Liverpool were uncharacteristically lethargic for large parts of the Fulham game. They won in the end, though, and if they can pin Brentford back early will fancy their chances of winning this match too.

Liverpool will play their usual high line, with Alisson sweeping and distributing from his box. At the same time, Van Dijk and Konate will try their best to snuff out any counter-attacks. This situation will allow Liverpool to compress the play and maintain a compact shape so that when the ball goes into Fabinho in midfield, he can pass it wide to the full-backs or ahead to Jones and Elliott (or Henderson). The two young midfielders must be very energetic and counter-press in midfield, preventing Brentford from having any spells of possession. Furthermore, Alexander-Arnold will come inside to help as an inverted full-back. This system gives him more freedom in dangerous areas inside the pitch and also helps Liverpool on counters.

When the ball goes into the attackers, Liverpool have plenty of ingenuity and invention. The dribbling and ability to cut inside and shoot Salah possesses on the right is joined by the creativity and pace of Diaz, Nunez or Jota on the left. Gakpo should play in this game; his link-up and clinical finishing could prove crucial for Liverpool. Generally speaking, the forwards will interchange, and the crossing and interplay from Robertson (or Tsimikas) and Alexander-Arnold from inside or wide areas will be crucial.

Brentford Will Be Physical and Play On The Counter And For Set Pieces

Most people know what to expect from Brentford now. They tend to play three at the back against the better sides – especially away from home – so we expect Mee, Pinnock and Zanka to start. These three and Raya in goal must be brave in the face of a potential incessant Liverpool press. They must try to send the ball into midfield and down the channels to give Brentford’s midfielders and attackers some opportunity to create something.

Defensively, the three centre-backs and the midfielders must be very compact and prevent spaces developing 15-30 yards from their goal that Liverpool might exploit. Liverpool have some tricky customers in their team with good dribbling and incisive passing, so Brentford must deny them room. In midfield, Brentford do have good pressing players in Onyeka, Jensen and Janelt (though Norgaard is a massive miss). These players can mix it with the Liverpool midfield, trying to press the home side so they can quickly launch counter-attacks. They must beware Liverpool’s ‘counter counter’, though.

Toney and Mbeumo’s pace, physicality and dribbling will be crucial as ever in attacking areas. Toney has been on fire this season. Indeed, he will drift into that Brentford left channel where Liverpool might be weak, as Alexander-Arnold has been vacating it to play inverted. Klopp will probably instruct Fabinho and Konate to cover this area and not allow Toney to come inside and shoot or get crosses in. Toney and Mbeumo are a severe threat on the break in this game, and Jensen and Janelt are good at joining from midfield to get shots or headers on goal. Henry and Roerslev are also dangerous from wing-back.

As ever, set pieces will be a crucial weapon for Brentford – counters and set plays led to goals in the reverse fixture. Brentford will hope to deliver dangerous balls for their big players yet again. Damsgaard, Schade, Dasilva and Wissa are potential attacking reinforcements from the bench. All are tricky and/or fast with quick feet.

Our Prediction

Liverpool have been inconsistent all season and have endured a disappointing campaign by their high standards. Alternatively, Brentford have had an excellent second season in the Premier League and appear resurgent after suffering a lull for several games. With this game being at Anfield – given Liverpool’s strength at home and Brentford being middle of the road away – you’d expect Liverpool to be very motivated, especially given they still have a slim chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

Brentford are a real threat to Liverpool from set pieces and counter-attacks. Their pace and physicality could be problematic for a Liverpool side that has sometimes looked ponderous this season. However, with an injection of youth in midfield with Jones and possibly Elliott, as well as the return of the hard-working and technical Diaz or the energetic Nunez on the left wing, we believe Liverpool will have just about enough.

Liverpool weren’t entirely convincing against Spurs and Fulham. However, they may well score goals in their third game in six days against London opposition at Anfield. It might be tight, though, and Brentford could undoubtedly score.

Liverpool 2-1 Brentford

Liverpool vs Brentford Betting Tip – Liverpool Odds: