Liverpool vs Brentford Preview: Team News & Prediction
Liverpool remain, just about, in danger of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification as they welcome European-chasing Brentford to Anfield on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – SYFY
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Hulu+
Liverpool preview: Still in danger
Arne Slot appears set to stay in charge of Liverpool despite heavy criticism from supporters as the Reds sit just about tucked inside the top five and the UEFA Champions League spots, albeit only three points clear of AFC Bournemouth.
As a result of collecting just one point and conceding eight goals from their three matches in the Premier League this month, a six-goal swing with the Cherries would see Liverpool fall into the UEFA Europa League this weekend.
Brentford preview: Push for Europe
Keith Andrews and his Brentford side have finished an unexpectedly strong season quite poorly as the Bees blow a genuine tilt at the top five but they do remain in the hunt for a top seven spot and potential European qualification.
They fought back twice to share a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend, meaning that they have only beaten relegated Burnley, relegation-bound West Ham United and sixth-tier Macclesfield in their last 14 games.
Liverpool team news: Nothing confirmed for Salah
Arne Slot confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson and club-record signing Alexander Isak would train on Friday but they would both have to be viewed as major doubts.
Arne Slot opted not to confirm nor deny whether or not Mohamed Salah would be involved or start in what is his final game as a Liverpool player.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Unavailable: Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Ekitike (Injured)
Questionable: Alisson (Injured), Bajcetic (Fitness), Frimpong (Injured), Endo (Injured), Wirtz (Illness), Danns (Fitness), Isak (Injured)
Brentford team news: Nothing new
Keith Andrews has confirmed that the team news for Brentford is unchanged from the squad that was available to play against Crystal Palace last week.
That means that left-back Rico Henry remains sidelined alongside defensive midfielder Antoni Milambo and attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago
Unavailable: Henry (Injured), Milambo (Injured), Carvalho (Injured)
Questionable:
Liverpool vs Brentford prediction
Liverpool lack any sort of cohesion in attack and control at the back. They should hold on to a top five spot regardless of that they do here, due to that aforementioned goal difference swing, but that is unlikely to be greeted by rapturous support. Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in 16 matches across all competitions and backing an entertaining attack of the visitors to punish the faded Reds is a decent bet on Merseyside.
Liverpool vs Brentford tip: Brentford to score two or more goals
