Liverpool welcome Brentford to Anfield on Sunday in a return to Premier League football for Jurgen Klopp’s men who have a huge task of keeping pace with Manchester City in the standings.
City’s upbeat form of late has made them the runaway leaders nearly midway through the campaign and Liverpool will be hoping to bounce back in style from recent disappointments.
Klopp’s Merseysiders were held to a nil-nil stalemate by a 10-man Arsenal side midweek in the first of the two legged Carabao Cup semi-final clash as the Anfield giants failed to put out a convincing display going forward.
Two wins from their last six outings across all competitions does not bode well for the title challengers Liverpool who will be gearing up for the upcoming game of much importance to their ambitions for the top flight crown.
The absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both of whom are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, has dealt a major blow to Liverpool’s depleted attacking roster with Divock Origi also on the sidelines with an extended injury issue.
No fresh concerns on the injury front were in store for Liverpool following the Arsenal game earlier this week and the hosts are backed to secure the win against the league’s new boys Brentford.
The reverse fixture earlier in the campaign was one of the thrilling encounters of the season with Brentford coming from behind to ensure a 3-3 scoreline against the Reds.
WHEN & WHERE?
We're back in @premierleague action tomorrow at Anfield 🏟🔴#LIVBRE pic.twitter.com/FNEgVQ1R5F
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 15, 2022
Date: 16 January 2021
Time: 2 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Divock Origi staged a returned to light training ahead of the forthcoming game but will not be in the fray to make the squad, confirmed Jurgen Klopp in his pre-match remarks.
The Belgium international Origi has been sidelined for the last five weeks with a knee issue and despite talk of nearing his return to the field, Klopp will be unlikely to draft him for his plans come Sunday.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will also sit out the weekend clash owing to their participation in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Other long-term absentees for Liverpool include Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott with the former in line for a return to training soon.
KEY BATTLE
Diogo Jota vs Ivan Toney
Klopp would be expecting his attacking mainstay Diogo Jota to return to his prolific self in the final third of the pitch and get the goals for his side who have looked lacklustre in recent games.
For the visitors, Ivan Toney has proven to be the attacking asset and the Liverpool backline will be hoping to keep him in check over the course of the 90 minutes at Anfield.
MATCH PREDICTION
We predict Liverpool to run out winners against Brentford in the weekend game on Merseyside.
Liverpool 3-0 Brentford
