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Liverpool lineup vs. Brentford – midfield picks itself with another 8 changes?

Jurgen Klopp has increasingly few midfield options to pick from, and Brentford will be no pushovers at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool need a boost ahead of the international break. The players will be hoping Anfield can give them a lift after two disappointing results on the road.

Much of Liverpool’s team picks itself this weekend as suspensions and injuries begin to build in certain positions.

Here’s how Liverpool could line up.

 

Team news

Klopp’s most recent update on Wednesday:

 

Liverpool’s XI vs. Brentford

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 21, 2023: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold prepare to take a free-kick during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 243rd Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Due to Mac Allister’s suspension, after receiving his fifth booking of the season vs. Luton, Klopp has had his hand forced in midfield.

Despite a relatively poor performance against Toulouse, Wataru Endo should start. As should Harvey Elliott, who will be accompanied by Dominik Szoboslai – the Hungarian played the second half on Thursday.

The big question for Klopp is on the left – who will play left-back and left wing?

This is how Liverpool would line up:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Elliott, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Jota


With the Reds likely to be on the front foot at Anfield, Klopp may stick with Kostas Tsimikas as, in theory, he offers more going forwards than Gomez.

If Klopp decides he wants to play Cody Gakpo, too, there is the option to deploy the Dutchman in midfield, like we saw in the opening game of the season at Chelsea.

  • Elliott is withdrawn and replaced by Gakpo, allowing Szoboszlai to play on the right of midfield
  • Tsimikas is given another chance to prove his worth at left-back
  • Endo starts his first Premier League game since the win over Newcastle in August

 

Here’s how this alternate team would look:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Salah, Nunez, Jota


Despite absentees in the middle of the park, Liverpool still have plenty of attacking talent at their disposal.

If they can get Jota and Nunez to combine effectively, flanked by Salah, Liverpool should have more than enough to win, even if it is done without keeping a clean sheet.