My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Keïta, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Núñez, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Liverpool did not play well at all against Leicester but Klopp does not have many changes available to make. Alisson Becker will be in goal and I’m bringing in Kostas Tsimikas as Andy Robertson played on Friday with a little knock.
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Predicted scoreline: 3-1 to Liverpool
Fábio Carvalho earns a start in what I’d prefer to be the in the number 10 position to allow Klopp to continue with the Núñez and Salah partnership up front. It may not be quite at the level of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge just yet, but there are signs that it could reach a similar level — especially when both begin to convert their chances more frequently.
Adam Brown – Fábio Carvalho comes in as Fabinho returns
Predicted scoreline: 2-0 to Liverpool
I’d bring the aerial presence of Ibrahima Konaté back into the team though it could easily be Joël Matip at the back, while in midfield, Naby Keïta and Thiago are absolute musts, and then it’s a case of whether or not Fabinho is back. If he isn’t, then Jordan Henderson will start.
Jürgen Klopp’s side were the beneficiaries of two Wout Faes own-goals on Friday, even if Darwin Núñezforced at least one of those with his good play, while Mohamed Salah missed chances too.
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READ MORE: Cody Gakpo means Liverpool won’t face Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo issu 英超 e Ivan Toney leads
Fabinho’s influence was missed in the middle of the pitch on Friday night, and he should return buoyed by the birth of his son on New Year’s Eve. The Brazilian comes straight back into the anchor role behind Thiago Alcântara, who was a standout performer against the Foxes, and Jordan Henderson. Liverpool will ideally secure a lead before introducing Naby Keïta.
These are the teams that some of our Liverpool.com writers would select at the Brentford Community Stadium as the Reds are back in Premier League action.
The Reds will hope that those two can both be clinical with the opportunities they get at Brentford, whose crowd are unlikely to make it a comfortable outing.
One thing to watch:Darwin Núñez to score (if I keep saying it, it will come true eventually, won’t it?)
One change to the back four sees Kostas Tsimikas come into the starting line-up. Andy Robertson picked up a minor knock against Leicester City and could be available, but there is no need to risk him ahead of an important month of fixtures. Despite Ibrahima Konaté being an interesting option for this one as Liverpool prepare to face Ivan Toney, I’ve gone with Matip to ensure minimal changes to the backline ahead of a tricky away game.
READ MORE: Liverpool should repeat Thiago transfer in January as Jürgen Klopp strategy proven right
One thing to watch: Darwin Núñez to score a brace
My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Núñez, Carvalho
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Matt Addison – Tsimikas and Keïta come in
In attack, Cody Gakpo is unlikely to start even if he is allowed to play at all (unclear at the time of writing), meaning that Ale NBA直播 x Oxlade-Chamberlain could get another go. Brentford are a big side, so having Fábio Carvalho in from the off would be a risk.
Liverpool were extremely fortunate to beat Leicester on Friday night and they will need to put in a much-improved performance when they take on Brentfo 英超直播 rd.