Brentford vs Liverpool: Unbeaten hosts put fourth place on the line

Brentford are unbeaten in 10 matches and occupy fourth place, but only one point separates them from ninth-placed Liverpool before Saturday’s meeting. That narrow gap gives this Week 7 fixture a clear edge: the hosts are defending a Champions League qualifying position, while the visitors seek a league response after losing 3-0 to Manchester City.

Liverpool arrive after a 6-3 Champions League win over LASK, with Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai both named in the starting XI following injury doubts. Ryan Gravenberch, however, serves a one-match league suspension after his dismissal for a second yellow card against City.

Szoboszlai joins Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool’s midfield, with Florian Wirtz ahead of them. Isak leads the attack, supported by Víctor Muñoz and Bradley Barcola, as Liverpool line up in a 4-2-3-1.

The confirmed Liverpool XI is: Alisson; Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Miloš Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Muñoz, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.

Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain out with knee injuries, while Hugo Ekitike is unavailable with an Achilles tendon rupture. Wataru Endo is also out with a foot injury, and Amara Nallo is unavailable. Cody Gakpo was listed as questionable with an ankle injury and is not among the starters.

Brentford also use a 4-2-3-1, with Igor Thiago leading the line and Mathias Jensen operating behind him. Dango Ouattara and Jaidon Anthony complete the attacking midfield line, while Vitaly Janelt partners Yehor Yarmoliuk deeper in midfield.

Their confirmed XI is: Caoimhin Kelleher; Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Keane Lewis-Potter; Yarmoliuk, Janelt; Ouattara, Jensen, Anthony; Thiago.

Kevin Schade, who started four of Brentford’s previous five matches, does not start after being rated doubtful. Antoni Milambo and Fábio Carvalho are out with cruciate ligament tears, Josh Dasilva has a muscle injury and Kaye Furo is unavailable following surgery. Nathan Collins and Mikkel Damsgaard were also listed as questionable.

Brentford’s league record stands at two wins and four draws from six games, giving them 10 points and a goal difference of plus six. Their latest result was a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, following a 3-0 home victory over Chelsea. They have scored in each of their last 10 matches.

Liverpool have nine points from two wins, three draws and one defeat. Before the City loss, they won 1-0 at Bournemouth, drew 0-0 with Fulham and beat Ipswich Town 2-0. They also bring a run of three successive away wins into this fixture.

Manchester City lead with 18 points from six matches, leaving Brentford eight points behind and Liverpool nine adrift. The teams’ most recent meeting finished 1-1 at Liverpool on 24 May.

Wirtz provides a specific attacking threat for Brentford to contain. He has taken 14 shots and created 11 chances across Liverpool’s first six league games, with 10 of those attempts coming from inside the penalty area. His involvement also extends to corners and free kicks.

For Brentford, Janelt must manage another disciplinary concern: he has four yellow cards and is one booking away from a one-match ban.

Before the lineups were confirmed, Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said Schade and Jannik Schuster had been “on the grass this week” after injuries, with both requiring further assessment. Neither appears in the starting XI.

Kickoff at the Gtech Community Stadium is 15:00 BST on Saturday 17 October. Liverpool then turn to Tuesday’s European meeting with Villarreal, making this the league assignment between two Champions League fixtures.

Questions

Why is Ryan Gravenberch suspended?

Gravenberch received a second yellow card against Manchester City and serves a one-match league ban against Brentford.

Are Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai starting?

Yes. Both are in Liverpool’s confirmed starting lineup after being listed as questionable with thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.

What is at stake in the table?

Brentford are fourth with 10 points from six matches, occupying a Champions League qualifying position. Liverpool are ninth with nine points, just one point behind them.