Brentford v Liverpool preview: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Liverpool travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for the Saturday lunchtime kickoff in the Premier League, a time slot Jurgen Klopp has infamously railed against throughout his time in England.

Making matters even more tricky is the prospect of taking on the Bees in West London, where the Reds are yet to win since their opponents gained promotion to the Premier League back in 2021.

Manchester City are only two points behind the Reds, with a game in hand, and are ready to pounce on any slip up in the race for the title.

A win however would put the Reds temporarily five points clear of City, at least until they play Chelsea later in the day. It’s 14th versus first; here is your preview for Brentford v Liverpool.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR 

• Date: Saturday, 17 February 2024

• Kick-off time: 12:30 GMT / 7:30 ET /  4:30 PT

• Stadium: Gtech Community Stadium

• Referee: Michael Oliver

• Assistant Referees: Stuart Burt and Dan Cook

• Fourth Official: Graham Scott

• VAR: David Coote

• AVAR: Tim Wood

BRENTFORD v LIVERPOOL HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD 

Liverpool have played against Brentford 20 times in their history, with matches between the two teams stretching all the way back to 1906. Liverpool dominate the overall record with 12 wins. There have been four draws and four Brentford wins in the other fixtures.

Liverpool first played at the Gtech in September 2021, their first match against the Bees in any competition for 32 years and their first league match since 1947, following Brentford’s top-flight promotion.

That game finished in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones on the scoresheet for Klopp’s side.

Last season, on January 2, Brentford scored their first win over Liverpool in any competition since 1938 when they won 3-1 in London on a day to forget for Klopp’s men.

Ibrahima Konate scored an own goal with other strikes netted by Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replied for the Reds in vain.

Liverpool have won all their Anfield ties against Brentford in the Premier League since they came up from the Championship, by score lines of 3-0, 1-0 and 3-0.

They last met on November 12, 2023, on Merseyside with Jota and a brace from Salah confirming the victory for the Reds. The Bees are a different prospect these days though with star striker Ivan Toney back from a ban. 

WHERE TO WATCH BRENTFORD V LIVERPOOL ON TV

Saturday’s lunchtime fixture will be shown live on TNT Sports and TNT Sports Ultimate in the United Kingdom as well as discovery+.

Radio commentary is available for free on talkSPORT.

The game will be shown on the USA Network in the United States as is also available to stream on Fubo across North America, including Canada.

Optus Sport is the destination for Premier League action in Australia.  

In mainland Europe, the game will be available to stream on DAZN.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS 

Alisson Becker missed the weekend win over Burnley with flu but is likely to return in place of Caoimhin Kelleher this weekend.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was taken off at the weekend having suffered a recurrence of his knee injury and will be assessed. Conor Bradley may come back in, following the death of his father, otherwise Joe Gomez should deputise if he has recovered from flu.

Konate is back after suspension and should partner Virgil van Dijk while Andy Robertson, himself back from injury, could continue at left-back.

Harvey Elliott could start in place of the re-injured Dominik Szoboszlai following a good show against Burnley. Alexis Mac Allister could move back to a deeper midfield role or else Wataru Endo will continue there.

Elsewhere, the impressive Jones should continue to keep out Ryan Gravenberch, who suffered a slight groin injury last week. Thiago Alcantara is also injured again, meaning he has likely played his last game for the club.

Mohamed Salah is pushing for a place following his hamstring injury and a return to the starting XI could be on the cards. One of Jota, Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz would have to drop out to accommodate the Egyptian on the right wing.

Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak are long-term absentees. 

BRENTFORD TEAM NEWS

Brentford remain without crucial first-team players including Rico Henry, who is out until the end of the season with an ACL injury, Kevin Schade, who has a groin injury and Aaron Hickey, who has a hamstring strain.

Attacking mainstay Mbeumo has an ankle injury and has been ruled out for three months. Josh Dasilva is out for the season having suffered a knee injury.

Returning Africa Cup of Nations players Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa should come back in.

Sergio Reguilon has improved things for Thomas Frank at left-back following the injury to Henry and the Bees have also been given a fillip by the return of Toney.

Last week they arrested their slide towards the relegation zone with a welcome win over Wolves and looked a completely different side to the one that suffered through the winter. 

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP 

There are some problems for Klopp to solve. He is needing a solution at right back with Alexander-Arnold injured again. It could be Bradley, back after bereavement, or Gomez, back after illness, to replace him.

Mac Allister had a quiet afternoon against Burnley and could lose his place to Elliott, with Endo solid at the base of midfield.

Up front, if Salah is passed fit, he should start and that would mean Diaz likely making way. The front three has coped well in Salah’s absence and any one of them being dropped looks harsh. 

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Nuñez, Jota

SCORE PREDICTION 

Liverpool have struggled at the Gtech Community Stadium in their last two encounters. They have a draw and a loss on their record and Brentford have scored three in each of their home clashes versus the Reds.

Toney’s return has been a breath of fresh air for the Londoners, who could pull clear of relegation trouble despite a run of tricky fixtures on the horizon.

Liverpool have question marks over Alexander-Arnold and Salah, two of their most potent threats. With Brentford looking solid and the Reds not enjoying their previous trips to this stadium, this could well be an opportunity for Manchester City to pounce in the title race. 

However, with the firepower at the Reds' disposal, expect them to win a close game.

Brentford 1-2 Liverpool