Isak starts as Liverpool make two changes at Brentford

Alexander Isak leads Liverpool’s attack at Brentford, with Dominik Szoboszlai also coming into the starting side for a match between two teams separated by one point in the table.

Liverpool make two changes from their last league match against Manchester City. Isak and Szoboszlai start, while Ryan Gravenberch misses out after his red card and Lewis Koumas drops to the bench. Liverpool line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola supporting Isak.

That gives Liverpool a clear attacking shape for the trip: Isak starts through the middle, with Wirtz and Barcola behind him. Szoboszlai’s inclusion is the other change, while Gravenberch’s suspension means Liverpool have to adjust in midfield.

Brentford also use a 4-2-3-1 and make three changes from their previous league match. Dango Ouattara, Mathias Jensen and Sepp van den Berg come into the starting team. El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kevin Schade are among the players on the bench, while Jannik Schuster is out with an ankle injury.

The table gives the fixture extra weight. Brentford are fourth on 10 points from six games and remain unbeaten; Liverpool are ninth, one point behind on nine. A home win would extend Brentford’s unbeaten start, while Liverpool have the chance to move level with the hosts on points.

The match takes place at Brentford on Saturday, 17 October, with kick-off at 15:00 BST. Isak’s start and the two teams’ changes set the scene for a meeting between sides separated by only one place in the early standings.