Liverpool lineup vs. Brentford – 2 likely changes and could Salah start?

February 16, 2024
Henry Jackson

Mohamed Salah has been back in training since Tuesday, but will Jurgen Klopp throw him straight back in for Liverpool’s trip to Brentford?

The Reds head to west London for a potentially taxing assignment on Saturday lunchtime, knowing a win would be priceless in the Premier League title race.

Klopp’s men were humbled 3-1 there last season, and following a bad loss at Arsenal and an adequate showing against Burnley, another gear needs to be found this weekend.

Here’s how Liverpool’s starting XI could look at Brentford.

Team news

Here’s what we know about the squad after Klopp’s press conference:

UPDATE: Alisson now out injured
Salah is “in contention” to play
Conor Bradley is available again after the death of his father
Alisson and Joe Gomez are fit to play
Klopp reminded us that Ibrahima Konate is back from suspension
Trent Alexander-Arnold will definitely miss the League Cup final, with Dominik Szoboszlai also a doubt

Liverpool’s XI vs. Brentford

The lineup is sure to look very different to the one that took to the field against Burnley at Anfield, with various changes expected.

Alisson and Joe Gomez being back after illness is a big boost, although Andy Robertson could retain his place at left-back over the latter.

The Scot needs regular football now, so it wouldn’t make a huge amount of sense to leave him out, even though Gomez has excelled there this season.

Ibrahima Konate‘s return from suspension means he is expected to replace Jarell Quansah, although the youngster can feel hard done by to lose his place.

Wataru Endo was good last weekend and merits keeping his place, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to continue in what is arguably his preferred No. 8 role.

Salah could be deemed fit enough to start, so it is then a case of who Klopp drops to the bench, with the manager potentially seeing Darwin Nunez as the best impact substitute.

Let’s see what that might look like:

Bradley & Konate in for Trent & Quansah
Robertson to keep place over Gomez; midfield stays the same
Salah back from injury to join Diaz and Jota in attack

Article published prior to news of Alisson’s injury

This is how Liverpool would line up:

Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Jota, Diaz

The likelihood is, however, that Salah begins on the bench to avoid rushing him back and risking re-injury, leaving Nunez to start alongside Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.

In midfield, Harvey Elliott could feel he is worthy of a start after assisting at home to the Clarets, but he continues to do better coming on in games.

Here’s what a slightly altered Liverpool XI could look like: