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·17 de janeiro de 2025
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·17 de janeiro de 2025
Liverpool know they need to get back on track in the title race after two Premier League games without a win as they prepare to travel to Brentford on Saturday.
The Bees themselves are on a high after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Manchester City.
This game, which is not on live TV, will be a big test for Arne Slot’s men – who are now just four points ahead of title rivals Arsenal after the Gunners beat Tottenham 2-1 in midweek.
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen; Mbeumo, Wissa, Damsgaard
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz
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Brentford are another team that has been hit hard by injuries, with Thomas Frank still waiting for a number of players to return to his starting XI.
The Bees have long-term absentees in Joshua DaSilva, Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer, who are all set to be out until at least February so have no chance of playing this game.
Aaron Hickey has no return date after missing the entirety of the season so far. Meanwhile, Igor Thiago still needs more time before recovering from a joint infection. Gustavo Nunes also doesn’t have a timeframe to return after a back injury – though Ryan Trevitt should return in the coming weeks.
Thankfully Brentford came out of their battling draw against Manchester City unscathed, with Frank likely to persist with the same starting XI after late heroics from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard to nick a result.
Liverpool’s major concern is with Diogo Jota, who is a doubt for the game at the Gtech after Slot confirmed the Portuguese forward felt a “niggle” in training.
There is also a worry over Luis Diaz, who missed training this week after suffering a sore throat but should be fine to start the game.
Should Diaz not make the trip to Brentford, Liverpool have Darwin Nunez available to possibly lead the line after returning from suspension. Joe Gomez is Liverpool’s only other injury worry, with the defender out until February with a hamstring issue.
Slot could opt to switch things up at left-back for this game after subbing on Kostas Tsimikas at left-back and watching him assist Jota’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. With Andy Robertson struggling for form this season, the Dutchman may be tempted to experiment.
Much has been made of Liverpool’s irresistible attacking performances this season, but there’s much to be desired at the back after failing to keep a clean sheet yet again against Forest.
After Chris Wood’s early opener at the City Ground, the Reds have now only kept three clean sheets in their last 11 games, after securing 11 in their first 20 matches of the season.
Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have come under scrutiny at full-back and Slot may be worried that their defensive frailties could end up costing them the title.
Brentford have had a difficult season as they currently lie in 11th place, but they have proven they can score goals after firing in 40 so far – the fourth-highest in the league. As they showed against Manchester City, they can be a handful for any team. Pep Guardiola’s side thought they had got the job done away from home before the Bees stung them late on with two goals in the last ten minutes.