Liverpool will look to continue their impressive run of form and pick up all three points against Brentford at home when the two sides meet on Saturday.
Liverpool are currently on a five-match winning run in the league and they will be reasonably confident of grinding out on three points here.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently fifth in the league table and there is a slim chance of making it to the top four. But the Reds will need their rivals to drop points in the remaining matches. Liverpool will look to keep those hopes alive with a win here.
Brentford, on the other hand, have recovered from a series of poor performances with two back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. They managed to beat Liverpool back in January and the visitors will look to pull off an upset at Anfield.
Brentford are currently ninth in the league table and Thomas Frank’s men will look to preserve their place in the top half by the end of the season.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool have a number of injury issues to deal with, especially in the midfield. Naby Keita, Thiago Alcântara and Stefan Bajcetic are ruled out.
Roberto Firmino is still struggling for match fitness and he is unlikely to feature here. Young defender Calvin Ramsay has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Thiago will miss the final four games of our season due to injury, Jürgen Klopp has confirmed. 🗣
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 5, 2023
Liverpool are likely to continue with their favourite 4-3-3 formation with Alisson Becker in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs here. Alexander-Arnold has been in a rich vein of form and he will look to help out his side offensively and protect the central defenders as well.
Ibrahima Konate will start in the central defence with Virgil Van Dijk.
Fabinho will look to anchor the Liverpool midfield and win the ball back for his side. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will look to add creativity and control in the middle of the park.
Cody Gakpo is expected to lead the line here with Mohamed Salah on his right at Luis Diaz on the left.
Darwin Nunez and Kostas Tsimikas are likely to drop back to the bench after an underwhelming performance against Fulham.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Brentford
The visitors will be without the services of Pontus Jansson, Christian Norgaard, Thomas Strakosha, and Keane Lewis-Potter because of injuries.
Thomas Frank is likely to set up his side in a 4-3-3 formation as well with David Raya in goal.
Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry will be deployed as the full-backs. The two players will look to keep the defence compact and create counter-attacking opportunities for their side.
Ethan Pinnock will partner Ben Mee at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield three, Josh DaSilva will start alongside Frank Onyeka and Mathias Jensen.
Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade will start as the wingers and Ivan Toney is set to lead the line for the visitors.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry; DaSilva, Onyeka, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Schade
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last 5 matches (Premier League).
- Liverpool have won with a 1-goal margin in their last 4 matches (Premier League).
- Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- 13 goals have been scored in the last three meetings between these two sides.
- Liverpool have picked up five wins in the last five league matches.
Player to watch out for
Mohamed Salah
Mo Salah hasn't been given his plaudits for this season! Third highest in goal contributions despite having a "bad season". 🙄🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/EOqFmSlBGr
— LiverpoolGoals (@Liverpoolgoals_) May 4, 2023
Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s best player this season and he has 29 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. The Egyptian has maintained his hot streak in front of goal despite Liverpool’s struggles this season. He will look to make his mark against Brentford and he is our player to watch out for.
The 30-year-old is more than just a goalscorer and his elite playmaking abilities will help Liverpool break down Brentford here. Salah has nine goals in his last 10 appearances for Liverpool and he will look to add to the tally here.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Brentford
Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team on paper and they are on a winning run right now. The home side are full of confidence and they should be able to grind out a victory here.
However, Brentford are no pushovers and they are likely to make life difficult for the home side.
A close contest is expected here with Liverpool picking up all three points eventually. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for the home side.
