Aiming for their first Premier League win of 2025 at the third attempt, Liverpool face a challenging trip to West London’s Gtech Community Stadium to meet Brentford this Saturday afternoon. Despite their top position in the league, the Reds’ recent form has faltered slightly, adding intrigue to this fixture.
Liverpool's Stuttering Form
Arne Slot’s men were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against title rivals Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. Super subs Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota salvaged a point with immediate impact off the bench, but Liverpool’s fans left frustrated as they dropped points. Despite maintaining a four-point lead at the Premier League summit, the Reds’ start to 2025 has been less dominant. Excluding their 4-0 FA Cup demolition of Accrington Stanley, Liverpool’s last four games across all competitions have yielded just one win.
However, Slot’s away record remains intact, with Liverpool undefeated in 16 Premier League matches on the road. They will be determined to avoid going three league games without a win for the first time since 2023.
Brentford's Resilient Home Efforts
The Bees, meanwhile, showcased their fighting spirit with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester City. Christian Norgaard’s injury-time equalizer was a captain’s masterpiece, keeping Brentford in the top half of the table. Yet, inconsistency plagues Thomas Frank’s side. Only one win in their last eight outings highlights a concerning trend. Despite leading the league with 29 home goals, Brentford’s defense remains vulnerable, conceding the fourth-most home goals this season.
Team News
Liverpool
The Reds welcome Darwin Nunez back from suspension, but Diogo Jota (knock) and Luis Diaz (illness) remain doubts. Kostas Tsimikas could replace Andy Robertson after his impactful cameo midweek, while Joe Gomez is the sole confirmed absentee due to a hamstring injury.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez.
Brentford
The hosts continue to grapple with a lengthy injury list. Josh Dasilva, Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey, Igor Thiago, Gustavo Nunes, and Ryan Trevitt are unavailable. On a positive note, Rico Henry made his long-awaited Premier League return against Manchester City and could start against Liverpool.
Predicted Brentford XI: Flekken; Roerslev, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen; Mbeumo, Wissa, Damsgaard.
Prediction
Brentford’s prolific scoring at home and Liverpool’s recent dip in form set the stage for a competitive clash. However, the Bees’ defensive frailties and Liverpool’s depth should see the visitors edge this one.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
