Alisson out! Four changes predicted for Liverpool starting lineup vs Brentford

Liverpool travel to London to take on Brentford in Saturday's early kick off.

12:30 GMT is a time slot Jurgen Klopp has famously railed against over the years, but this week's game, mercifully, does not follow a midweek fixture or international break, meaning tiredness or lack of preparation should not be an issue despite the early start.

In truth, Liverpool have fared well at this time (this season anyway), winning three and drawing one of the four 12:30's they have faced in 2023/24.

However, they will need to be wary this weekend as their history away at Brentford is, perhaps surprisingly, less impressive.

The Reds are yet to win at the Gtech Community Stadium since Brentford's promotion to the Premier League, losing 3-1 there last January and drawing 3-3 back in 2021.

The return of Ivan Toney gives the Bees an added sting, while Liverpool have numerous fitness question marks in the run up to this one.

As with every game, this clash is high-pressure for the Reds, with City breathing down their necks as the business end of the season rears up on the horizon.

Here's how Klopp could line up his side for the trip to London.

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Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson Becker was one of the Liverpool squad to be struck down by flu ahead of the 3-1 win over Burnley. However, Caoimhin Kelleher put in a solid display in the Brazilian's absence, making three saves.

While Alisson was supposed to return this weekend, news out a hamstring injury means the Liverpool's Irish backup is set to keep his place against Brentford probable.

Trent Alexander-Arnold too is set to miss this one with a recurrence of his knee injury.

Conor Bradley, who trained this week, could return, if ready. If not, expect to see the Reds' Swiss Army defender Joe Gomez line up there.

Virgil van Dijk should partner the returning Ibrahima Konate who has now fulfilled his one-match suspension. Andy Robertson is likely to continue at left back, though both Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas are options.

Midfield

In the absence of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister got a rare move into a more advanced midfield berth against Burnley but wasn't at his impressive best.

The World Cup winner could drop back into the holding role for the trip to London, while Harvey Elliott's match-winning second-half display should see him earn just his fourth Premier League start this season.

Curtis Jones appears now to have locked down the left-sided role in the midfield three ahead of Ryan Gravenberch.

Along with Szoboszlai, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are likely to miss this one, meaning more potential minutes from the bench for youngsters like Bobby Clark and James McConnell.

Attack

The big question is whether Mohamed Salah will be fit to start at Brentford, with the game coming more than four weeks on from his initial injury.

Klopp suggested his No. 11 is in contention after training all week. Should Salah start on his usual right wing slot, Liverpool will be forced to alter the attack that has served them well in his absence.

Premier League Player of the Month Diogo Jota has five goals and two assists in the eight games since Salah last featured, while Darwin Nuñez has four and three and Luis Diaz four and one.

The Colombian may be the one to drop out this time, with Jota moving over to the left wing.

Predicted Liverpool starting XI vs Brentford:

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