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With the losing streak over, Liverpool now has to turn its attention to getting its Premier League title defense back on track at Brentford.
Defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Manchester United - all in virtually the same manner, with the Reds having fought back to equalize before succumbing to a late goal - have left Arne Slot’s side four points off the pace of current leader Arsenal, having previously sat five points ahead of the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side doesn’t play until Sunday, giving Liverpool the chance to narrow that gap, even if it is just momentarily. At this early stage of the season though, it’s vital the Reds don’t fall further behind.
Wednesday’s 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt was just the tonic Slot and his players needed, and having made five changes in Germany, the Liverpool boss should now have his blueprint for today’s game in London.
Of course, he will be forced into at least one change, with Jeremie Frimpong ruled out after limping off during the first half in Frankfurt. There’s an easy solution to that problem, with Conor Bradley back in the starting line-up.
Otherwise, the rest of the back five should remain the same. Giorgi Mamardashvili keeps his place in goal as Alisson Becker remains out injured, with the Georgia international set to get a rest in the Carabao Cup during the week.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate continue at the heart of the defense, while Andy Robertson should keep his place at left-back over Milos Kerkez.
If there are any doubts over Ryan Gravenberch after the midfielder twisted his ankle against Manchester United, then he shouldn’t be risked. He is far too important a player in this side, so Slot needs to look at the bigger picture with regard to the rest of the season.
Therefore, we’re sticking with Curtis Jones alongside Dominik Szoboszlai. Alexis Mac Allister will no doubt come back into consideration, but Jones didn’t do anything to deserve being dropped in his record-breaking display on Wednesday.
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As we move into the attack, let’s hope his two assists in midweek will be the moment that kick-starts Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool career. It’s not just his performance in Frankfurt though that means he should get a start against Brentford, having also been one of the brighter sparks off the bench against United.
Cody Gakpo is in good form in front of goal, and Hugo Ekitike will surely keep his place up front, leaving just one question remaining over Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah.
Given the doubt over the former’s fitness, it seems a good bet that Salah will return this weekend. There is an argument for Federico Chiesa to be given a go, although if we’re basing this on what Slot would choose, then it’s probably a good bet that the Egyptian will be given his opportunity to revitalize his season.
Liverpool predicted team vs Brentford: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
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