Liverpool starting XI for Premier League clash with Brentford predicted

Liverpool continue their Premier League campaign this weekend as Brentford visit Anfield, but who should make it into the Reds’ starting XI?

New Liverpool boss Arne Slot began his first season as Liverpool manager on a high with a solid 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town last weekend and the Dutchman will be looking to follow up that good start with another three points.

Although Liverpool are yet to make a signing, it looks like Slot will have his full squad available to him as no injuries have been reported ahead of Sunday’s 4:30pm kick-off.

Read more: Liverpool agree SHOCKING fee for highly-rated academy prospect

The question is, who will make Liverpool’s starting XI to take on Brentford in their first home game of the 2024/25 season?

Here’s what we think…

Goalkeeper – Alisson

Alisson didn’t put a foot wrong in Liverpool’s opening game and, as long as he’s fit, he’s probably going to start most games in between the sticks for the Reds this year.

The Brazilian will be looking to claim his second clean sheet of the season and will be hoping to stake a genuine claim for the Premier League’s golden glove after an injury hampered 2023/24 season.

Right-back – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Although Trent was replaced by Connor Bradley in the 77^th minute of Liverpool's first league game, the vice-captain is set to start this game for Liverpool.

Despite a limited pre-season after a mixed Euros with England, the 25-year-old looked incredibly sharp against Ipswich and played a beautiful pass in the build up to Diogo Jota’s opener.

Much like Alisson, if he is fit there is no reason for Liverpool's no.66 not to start.

Centre-back – Ibrahima Konaté

Jarell Quansah was picked ahead of Konaté for the opener but the 21-year-old was hooked at half time and criticised by Slot post-match for not winning enough of his duels.

Konaté came out for the second half and Liverpool finally started firing in front of goal.

Although the Frenchman wasn’t directly involved in either of the Reds’ goals he looked ready for the season once he was on the pitch and Slot will be looking to recreate the dominance Liverpool displayed in the second half at Portman Road again this weekend at Anfield.

Centre-back – Virgil Van Dijk

The Liverpool captain will be one of the first names on the team sheet every week this season. He started his campaign well with a solid display against Ipswich and will be looking to keep the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa quiet this weekend.

After a limited pre-season the 33-year-old will be looking to get another 90 minutes in the tank and lead Liverpool to another victory.

Left-back – Andy Robertson

Although Robertson’s fitness had been questioned in the build up to Liverpool’s opener, he was able to manage almost 80 minutes and looks nailed on to start again this weekend.

Another example of a Liverpool player who was only available for part of Liverpool’s pre-season, Robertson will also be looking to gain some match sharpness and this will be a great chance to get some more minutes ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford at the start of September, a game which Robbo will definitely not want to miss.

Centre midfield – Alexis Mac Allister

After an impressive debut season with the Reds last campaign, Mac Allister will be looking to assert himself as one of the best midfielders in the league this season.

He was solid against Ipswich and, despite all the talk around Liverpool’s midfield options this summer, looks sure to be a key figure in Slot’s team.

Mac Allister scored a wonderful goal against Brentford in the reverse fixture last year and he may well be looking to open his account for this season on Sunday.

Centre midfield – Ryan Gravenberch

Liverpool have spent the whole summer searching for a new holding midfielder to boost Slot’s team but their solution for the opening match was Ryan Gravenberch.

Although his performance garnered mixed reviews it's hard to argue that anyone else currently at Liverpool could do a better job in the no.6 role at the moment and an extended run of games in the position could be exactly what Gravenberch needs to settle into the starting XI permanently.

Attacking midfield - Dominik Szoboszlai

Another player who impressed in his debut campaign for Liverpool, Szoboszlai is coming off the back of a great pre-season with Liverpool after a disappointing run with his nation, Hungary, at the Euros.

Szoboszlai looked good against Ipswich and will be looking to impress again in order to nail down a place in the starting XI ahead of the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.

Right forward – Mohamed Salah

Who else?

The man of the match in Liverpool’s opener, Salah looked incredibly sharp and was able to both score and provide an assist, extending his record-breaking run of opening day goals.

Salah looked like the main threat for Liverpool and Reds fans should expect this to continue heading into this weekend’s fixture.

Left forward – Luis Diaz

There has been a great deal of speculation around Liverpool’s left-wing position, with multiple transfers rumoured and an exit for Diaz looking likely at times.

However, Diaz started on the left in Liverpool’s opener and looks to be a serious part of Slot’s plans for the season.

His toughest competition for the place will be Cody Gakpo but the Dutchman played through the middle when he came on against Ipswich and Diaz looks set to start once again.

Striker – Diogo Jota

Jota is in fine form for Liverpool right now. An incredible finish in the pre-season friendly against Seville was followed up by the opener in Liverpool’s last match against Ipswich.

Jota looks ready to make the striker position his own at Liverpool this year and anyone else, whether it's Cody Gakpo or Darwin Núñez, will have a challenge ahead of them if they want to displace him.