Liverpool take on Brentford in their first game of 2023 on Monday night, with Jurgen Klopp likely to make at least one change to his starting lineup.
The Reds scraped through their 2022 closer at home to Leicester, but came away from their 2-1 win with two more injury concerns to add to the list.
That does not help matters when a trip to mid-table Brentford awaits on Monday, with Thomas Frank’s side on a run of five games without defeat and on the back of a 2-0 win at West Ham.
Klopp could include a new face in his squad in west London, though it still remains to be seen whether Cody Gakpo will be eligible as Liverpool await clearance following his £44 million move from PSV Eindhoven.
But with four consecutive Premier League victories, the Reds should head to Brentford confident of making it five in a row.
Team news
Following the 2-1 victory over Leicester, we know the following:
- Fabinho should be able to return following his son’s birth
- Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott doubts after picking up knocks
- Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Curtis Jones have “chance” of being involved
- Arthur is still not ready, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota also out
- Liverpool await a final decision over whether Gakpo can feature
Liverpool’s XI vs. Brentford
Liverpool were dealt a relatively kind schedule over the festive period, and were given three days between fixtures this time around.
That should have allowed the majority of Klopp’s squad from the win over Leicester to take in recovery time and prepare for another high-intensity clash.
Fabinho‘s expected return is a big boost, too, while the hope is that Robertson will be able to start despite a dead leg forcing him off at Anfield:
- Ibrahima Konate to replace Joel Matip in otherwise unchanged defence
- Fabinho in for Elliott, next to Jordan Henderson and Thiago
- Fabio Carvalho an option to start over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on left
With those alterations from Friday’s win, Liverpool would line up like this:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Carvalho, Nunez
It is safe to say that heading into this tie the left flank is Klopp’s biggest issue, with Robertson’s fitness and the impact of both Carvalho and Oxlade-Chamberlain a concern.
But there are solutions within the squad, even without Gakpo, and the prospect of Firmino’s return to the fold is a significant one.
Klopp could also consider a change in midfield following Henderson’s shaky showing against Leicester, with the option of a first start of the season for Naby Keita:
- Kostas Tsimikas available at left-back if Robertson misses out
- Keita to replace Henderson and join Fabinho and Thiago
- Firmino to start up front as Darwin Nunez shifts to left wing
Those changes would see this Liverpool XI:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Firmino
Even if Gakpo is eligible, the Dutchman is unlikely to play a major role against Brentford, with a lack of training time after the World Cup making the FA Cup tie against Wolves a more feasible introduction.
But despite new injuries threatening his squad, Klopp could see an increase in his squad options from Monday – with it certain to be a strong Liverpool lineup.
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