Brentford will play host to Liverpool in this tricky Premier League match day 22 fixture in the new year.
The Bees were underwhelming in the Premier League last season but they did just enough to beat the drop and secure Premier League safety. However, they have made strong statements at home this term and are now flying high under Thomas Frank once again. As for Manchester City, it has been a mixed season for them despite their great start.
As of the time of writing, Brentford have 20 points from 13 games and they are placed 7th on the log. Liverpool have picked up 31 points and they are ranked top of the log.
Brentford lost Ivan Toney before the season started, but they have barely missed him. The Bees have simply made their home ground a fortress and that has helped to stay high up on the log. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have been excellent in attack.
The season got underway for them at home against Crystal Palace and they won 2-1. In the second game of the season, they lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield before another home win over Southampton got them their second win of the new campaign. Well, it was yet another loss on the road as Manchester City got the better of them on match day four.
In the League Cup, Brentford progressed at the expense of Leyton Orient before they returned to the Premier League to win just two of their next five games. The Bees lost to Spurs on the road, drew with West Ham at home, defeated both Ipswich and Wolves at home, and lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Back in the league cup, Brentford needed penalties to beat Sheffield Wednesday. In November, the Bees continued their win at home, lose away form as they beat Bournemouth at home and lost 2-1 to Fulham in the London derby. They bounced back to win two of their next three games to claim a spot in the top 10. At the time of writing, they have the best Premier League home record with 19 points from seven games.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have made credible progress under Arne Slot following the departure of Jurgen Klopp after nearly a decade at Merseyside. Although Liverpool struggled to make any high-profile signings during the transfer window, they have been on another level under the new manager. In the Premier League, they are flying high and are early favourites to clinch the title after some breathtaking performances. At the time of writing, Liverpool have only lost once in all competitions this season, and there seems to be no stopping them at the moment.
Just before the top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City in December, Slot spoke about what he demands from his players every time.
“I want every player that they want to play every game. It would be completely wrong if he would’ve come over to me and said, ‘I like it that I’m on the bench today.’ That’s completely normal with him [Alisson Becker] and all the others. But then it’s always about the attitude if you don’t play and that has been outstanding.
“For example, from Lucho [Luis Diaz] and Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] last Sunday when they weren’t selected in the first XI and then they come in really strong. Yesterday I saw the same again with Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo. They should have the eagerness to play but if they don’t, they have to act in a normal way and that’s what they all do at the moment,” the Dutchman concluded.
At the time of writing, Liverpool have won five of their past six Premier League away games. And a trip to a side that they have been in their past four meetings offer some confidence. Given the standards they have attained this season, the Anfield outfit will be brimming with confidence to get maximum points. However, the home side will be a tough nut to crack going by their home form.
Match tickets
The epic match at Brentford Community Stadium in London kicks off on Saturday, 18th of January 2025 at 15:00 GMT.
Brentford’s 17,250-capacity stadium will host this fixture between the Bees and the Reds.
Getting Brentford vs Liverpool tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Thomas Frank and Brentford sold Toney last summer but they have found themselves in a fine place with the form of Yoanne Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo in attack. Josh Dasilva and Rico Henry are long-term absentees for the Bees. Meanwhile, the likes of Norgaard, Janelt, and Flekken might have a role to play in this key game.
Brentford XI: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Van den Berg; Damsgaard, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Wissa, Lewis-Potter.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been battling some injury crisis of late, but he should be available for this trip to Brentford. But if Alisson does not make it then Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is also nursing a slight injury, might be unavailable. Meanwhile, skipper Virgil Van Dijk is expected to lead the rest of the backline. Alexis Mac Allister, who impressed last term, is expected to continue in midfield alongside the rejuvenated Ryan Gravenberch, while Mohamed Salah is expected to be a key threat in attack.
Liverpool XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, Darwin Núñez, and Mohamed Salah.
Prediction
Wissa and Mbeumo have stepped up after Ivan Toney left them. As of the time of writing, the Bees have won six of their opening seven home games in the Premier League – the best result by any side in the division this season. Get your Brentford tickets early though.
As for Liverpool, they are the title favourites at the time of writing this piece and anything short of a win might have an impact on their chances.
Meanwhile, the Brentford Community Stadium has been producing a lot of goals this season, and this might just be an interesting contest.
Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
