It is clear that Liverpool will start against Brentford this evening unless there are five injured players. The Reds will be without No. 1 goalkeeper Alisson Becker, reserve defender Giovanni Leoni, right-back Jeremy Frimpong and defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenbirch, while Arne Slott’s £125m striker Alexander Isak will be on the bench at best.
Grafenberg missed Wednesday night’s 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Liverpool replaced Grafenwerch with Curtis Jones in the midfield and ended their losing streak at four with a comprehensive victory against Germany. However, Frimpong and Isak’s night was cut short by hamstring and groin soreness. Coach Slott has downplayed Isaac’s issues, but it will definitely prevent him from starting tonight. Express Sport lists how Liverpool should line up if all five players are absent…
Goalkeeper: Mamadashvili
The man between the sticks chooses himself – Giorgi Mamadashvili. With Alisson likely not returning until the end of November at the earliest, the 25-year-old Georgian will retain his starting spot. Mamadashvili is yet to record a 90-minute clean sheet after five appearances for Liverpool and will be keen to get his first shutout in west London.
Defense: Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
Eintracht Frankfurt has scored 30 goals in 10 games this season. Despite scoring against Liverpool in midweek, the German side had just four shots in 90 minutes and only one shot on target. So why change the back 4?
Bradley was injured after Frimpong had played 71 minutes against Frankfurt and came off as a substitute. Otherwise, goalscorers Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will start, with Andy Robertson asked to start again. Milos Kerkes could start next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace.
Midfield: Jones, Szoboszlai
Then again, why change? Curtis Jones helped bring much-needed control and composure to the midfield in Europe. If there were any doubts about Grabenwerch’s decision to cancel his trip to Germany due to an ankle problem, Jones is the obvious candidate to start. Dominik Szoboschlei joined him in the center of the park after making a prominent display in Deutsche Bank Park.
Attack: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo. Equitique
Florian Wirtz provided two assists in the Champions League victory and retained his number 10 spot despite starting on the bench in the last two Premier League games. The German needs a chance to find his rhythm and get to know his teammates better.
The big key is who will start on the right side. After Isak was knocked out in midweek, leading scorer Hugo Ekitike, who has six goals in 12 games, moves to centre-forward. Frimpong’s absence and Szoboszlai in midfield means Mohamed Salah or Federico Chiesa will start on the right.
With Salah on the bench in Frankfurt, it will be the Egyptian’s return to action to prove he deserves to start in the slot going forward. Wirtz supports Ekitike, with the in-form Kodi Gakpo on the left. The Dutchman has scored three goals in Liverpool’s last three games and will be hoping to continue his run at the G-Tech Community Stadium.
Liverpool XI vs Brentford without Alisson, Leoni, Frimpong, Graben Belch and Isak: Mamadashvili. Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson. Jones, Szoboszlai. Salah, Wartz, Gakpo. Equitique
