By Karl Matchett
Acquainted faces on the Gtech
For Sepp van den Berg, this fixture is likely to be a little bit of self justification. The Dutch defender departed Anfield the in summer season after feeling he wouldn’t get a lot of a look-in; he joined the Bees and has began 16 occasions within the high flight. Instantly alongside him as soon as extra was Fabio Carvalho; the attacker equally thought that sport time could be at a premium below Arne Slot, however up to now it hasn’t been fairly as frequent as he’d like below Thomas Frank both – of 16 video games for him, 13 have come from the bench.
The 2 could be seen as examples of Brentford’s personal development and want to push larger up the league desk, signing abilities from these above; alternatively they are often seen to trace that Liverpool, who solely signed Federico Chiesa in summer season for below half the quantity acquired for Carvalho, have saved their powder dry. No strikes have been made by the league leaders but this month, nevertheless it might nonetheless change shortly.
Fluctuating type
Rewind solely a month and Brentford sat high of the desk themselves – a minimum of when it got here to residence type. After battering Newcastle, they sat fairly with seven wins from eight on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium, a implausible begin in entrance of their very own followers which made them top-half contenders, a minimum of on the face of issues.
However the fact was barely skewed and lately has been unveiled considerably. On the identical level of the marketing campaign, Brentford had additionally misplaced virtually each away sport and hadn’t received any. They’ve since accomplished so – however solely on the backside membership, Southampton. And, in the meantime, they’ve misplaced twice and drawn one at residence as properly – plus had been crushed by Plymouth within the FA Cup. The wheels have come off the place they had been working for Frank’s injury-hit facet.
Liverpool, in the meantime, stay high of the league. A current blip might solely be described that method for the crew who had been beforehand near-faultless: their present league type reads “drawn twice”. It’s not fairly into the dramatic territory some would have you ever imagine. Worse nonetheless for Brentford, Liverpool have but to lose as soon as away within the league this time period.
Workforce information
Liverpool have Darwin Núñez again from suspension and Joe Gomez is out injured – Slot has very practically a full squad. Frank has way more points, with seven nonetheless out, the primary ones of that are Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey and Igor Thiago.
Key participant
With Mohamed Salah wanting off-key of late – in opposition to his very excessive requirements – we’ll go for Alexis Mac Allister to tug some strings. Brentford’s midfield is bodily however he can combine it too – and nonetheless discover the go on the finish. He’s 93rd percentile for xA, ninetieth for possession received within the closing third and is significant to the Reds’ tactical plan.
Prediction
Brentford’s residence type confirmed they will beat the perimeters beneath them, however they’re nonetheless a method off these above. Three factors for the guests: Brentford 1 Liverpool 3.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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