Brentford vs Liverpool Prediction & Match Preview
On Monday evening, Brentford will host Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in a highly anticipated Premier League match.
In their last game of 2022, Brentford secured a 2-0 victory over West Ham United, while Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 despite not scoring any of the three goals themselves.
Ivan Toney, Brentford’s top scorer with 12 Premier League goals this season, was taken off on a stretcher during the match against West Ham, but not before contributing to his team’s win with a goal in the 18th minute and setting up Josh Dasilva for the second.
After Saturday’s games, Brentford currently sit 10th in the table, having been overtaken by Fulham following their win against Southampton.
Brentford’s attacking line has been in fine form, scoring six goals in recent matches against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham, and the only team to leave the Gtech Community Stadium with a win this season has been Arsenal.
Brentford are currently on a four-game unbeaten run at home in the Premier League, with victories over Brighton & Hove Albion and draws against Tottenham, Wolves, and Chelsea.
Liverpool, on the other hand, enter 2023 on a four-game winning streak in the Premier League, but have only won two of their last eight opening fixtures in the calendar year.
However, they have scored in each of their last 26 away games in London, including a 3-3 draw with Brentford in the 2021-22 season. Brentford are still seeking their first win over Liverpool since November 1938, having lost 3-0 to the Reds at Anfield in January 2022.
Team News:
There was concern that Toney may have suffered a serious injury after landing awkwardly on his knee in the match against West Ham, but Frank has received good news that Toney has only suffered a minor muscle problem and could potentially be available for Monday’s game.
Toney may only be used as a substitute, while Kristoffer Ajer, Shandon Baptiste, and Aaron Hickey will remain out due to injuries.
Frank Onyeka and Thomas Strakosha may have the chance to return to the team, but Frank will likely only make one change, with Yoane Wissa replacing Toney in the starting lineup.
Liverpool also have fitness concerns, as Harvey Elliott and Andrew Robertson sustained injuries in their win over Leicester, although Klopp does not believe the injuries are serious.
It is uncertain if they will be available to play on Monday, while Arthur, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, and Curtis Jones will definitely be out. James Milner (hamstring) and Roberto Firmino (calf) may be able to play, and Fabinho, who missed the previous game due to the birth of his child, may also return.
New signing Cody Gakpo is eligible to make his debut, but Klopp is not optimistic that the necessary paperwork will be completed in time, so it is unlikely that Gakpo will play in this match.
