Liverpool will hope to make it six Premier League wins on the run as they welcome Brentford to Anfield on Saturday in top flight action on the Merseyside.
The Reds edged out Fulham in an evenly contested affair in midweek with a first-half penalty from Mohamed Salah earning Jurgen Klopp’s men the three points against the Cottagers.
Liverpool No.1 Alisson Becker single-handedly kept his side in the contest as he denied Carlos Vinicius on two occasions with the Brazilian earning rave reviews for his displays.
Jordan Henderson and Co. sit in fifth place with four games to go and with Manchester United failing to extend their lead over their arch rivals to seven points after a defeat to Brighton, Liverpool will harbour expectations of a top four finish despite the odds stacked against them.
Klopp’s men have not strung together a six-game winning run in the Premier League since April 2022 and the chance to replicate that presents itself on Saturday against an in-form Brentford side.
The Bees occupy ninth place in the standings and have not given up on their European dream just yet as they remain four points behind Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
The last time Liverpool locked horns with Brentford, it proved to be a disappointing outing for the Reds who were beaten 3-1 by Thomas Franke’s men in the first league game of the new calendar year.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 6 May 2023
Time: 6 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool’s midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara is now confirmed to miss the remainder of the season as the Spaniard prepares to undergo hip surgery.
Skipper Jordan Henderson has been sent for scans on an unspecified problem and has emerged as a fresh doubt on the injury front for the home side.
Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are said to be working their way to full fitness and it remains to be seen if any of the two players will be included in the matchday squad over the weekend.
Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson are likely to push for recalls to the first XI with the latter rested for the Fulham clash as Kostas Tsimikas provided cover in the left-back role.
KEY BATTLE
Cody Gakpo vs Bryan Mbeumo
Gakpo will be in line for an immediate recall to the Liverpool team sheet with Diogo Jota nursing a bruised rib which has forced him to a place on the bench.
The Liverpool new boy Gakpo has enjoyed a stellar season so far in the Premier League despite a slow start to life at Anfield and he will be looking to add to his tally on Saturday against Brentford.
Franke’s Bees have Bryan Mbeumo as a proven name in their front line and he had troubled the Liverpool backline on a number of occasions last time out.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool are the strong favourites to emerge as the winners of Saturday’s Anfield showdown but expect Brentford to put up a brave fight.
Liverpool 3-1 Brentford
