Liverpool vs Brentford Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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Arne Slot is taking charge of his first game at Anfield looking to back up Liverpool’s opening day 2-0 defeat of Ipswich Town at Portman Road as they welcome a Brentford side that also started the 2024/25 campaign with a victory as the Bees defeated Crystal Palace.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 25th August, 2024 - UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Telemundo
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock, Fubo, Sling Blue or DirecTV Stream
LIVERPOOL PREVIEW: THE ARNE SLOT ERA
Liverpool started slowly in the first-half of the first game of the Arne Slot era last weekend with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town counter-attacking with speed but little efficiency and effectiveness but enough to definitely concern the Reds as they made a change at half-time with Ibrahima Konate replacing Jarell Quansah.
In the second-half, the speed of their play and the verticality of their passing and running was obvious from the off and, even from a neutral perspective, it was very entertaining to watch with Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah eventually scoring the goals that gave them a 2-0 win at Portman Road.
BRENTFORD PREVIEW: BEES A BUZZING
With some uncertainty off the pitch surrounding the future of one of Brentford’s greatest ever players in Ivan Toney and a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, the Bees showed no uncertainty on the pitch with Thomas Frank’s side putting in a strong and disciplined performance that was slightly more progressive than their recent past.
They opened the scoring in the first-half via Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, who was a big miss with injury for large parts of last season, before Yoane Wissa, wanted by Wolverhampton Wanderers, then scored the winning goal after Ethan Pinnock had put through his own net to level things against Crystal Palace.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS: QUANSAH INJURY
At half-time of their opener against Ipswich, English defender Jarell Quansah was substituted and he has since suffered a small injury that could see him unavailable for this one.
Former Bayern Munich and Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is being turned into a 'number six' by Arne Slot, as Slot has said, so he is expected to continue in midfield.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz; Diogo Jota
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Quansah (Injured)
BRENTFORD TEAM NEWS: TONEY OR NOT TONEY
England international striker Ivan Toney didn't feature on the opening weekend of the season with the decision being a collaborative one between the club and the player with the expectation being he departs before the end of the window.
There are no other new issues expected for this one with Toney's inclusion completely unknown. Both Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry are continuing to edge towards their respective returns.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade
UNAVAILABLE: Hickey (Injured), Henry (Injured), Dasilva (Injured), Igor Thiago (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LIVERPOOL VS BRENTFORD PREDICTION
Arne Slot was critical of their first-half but full of praise for their second-half last weekend so Liverpool players know they have now set their own standards and template to be successful or impressive under the Feyenoord boss. Thomas Frank has become renowned for setting his Brentford side up well against stronger sides but this does seem a very tough test and Liverpool should get over the line for back-to-back victories with an Anfield win.
LIVERPOOL VS BRENTFORD TIP: LIVERPOOL TO WIN
