Despite a heavy summer investment of around £450 million in new signings, the Reds have struggled for rhythm this season, particularly in defence. Their back line was breached again in Frankfurt — the 18th goal conceded in 13 matches — but what followed was a reminder of Liverpool’s attacking power.
After Hugo Ekitike equalised against his former club, Liverpool roared back in style. Goals from Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai sealed a resounding 5-1 win — their biggest victory since they beat Tottenham by the same scoreline in April.
That result steadied the ship somewhat, leaving Liverpool with six points from three Champions League games. But domestically, the reigning champions have slipped to third place in the Premier League table after three defeats in their opening eight matches (W5, L3). They now sit four points behind leaders Arsenal, having fallen to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace.
The Reds will be desperate to avoid an unwanted record — they haven’t lost four straight league games since February 2021. However, history offers little comfort: Liverpool have been beaten in five of their last eight away league fixtures and have lost each of their last four trips to London, a run they last endured back in 1970.
Adding to their frustration, Liverpool’s recent defeats have all come in familiar fashion. Once famous for late goals, they’ve now lost three straight Premier League games to strikes conceded in the final 10 minutes — despite equalising in each of those matches. No team in Premier League history has ever lost four in a row in such circumstances.
Brentford, meanwhile, head into the weekend with renewed confidence after earning a 2-0 win over West Ham United on Monday — their first away victory under new head coach Keith Andrews.
The Bees were in control throughout that clash, registering 15 shots before Igor Thiago opened the scoring in the 43rd minute. Mathias Jensen then sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike to lift Brentford to their third Premier League win of the season.
That result leaves the London side 13th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone and five behind Liverpool. Andrews will now aim to guide his team to back-to-back league wins for the first time since last spring, when they enjoyed a run of four straight victories between April and May.
Home form, however, remains a concern. Brentford have won just five of their last 16 matches at the Gtech Community Stadium across all competitions this year (D4 L7), though they’ve already notched up three home wins in 2025 — including a 3-1 triumph over Manchester United in late September.
Historically, the Bees have found it tough against Liverpool. After managing a win and a draw from their first three Premier League meetings, they’ve since lost five in a row to the Reds by a combined score of 12-1.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Brentford will be without Antoni Milambo and Paris Maghoma for Saturday’s clash with Liverpool, as both players continue their recovery from respective ACL and thigh injuries. Aaron Hickey remains a doubt after missing the win over West Ham with a knee knock and will face a late fitness test ahead of kickoff.
Head coach Keith Andrews has shown a preference for a back-five system with wing-backs in high-profile matches this season — including against Chelsea and Manchester City and could stick with that setup once again. Keane Lewis-Potter is pushing for a recall on the left flank, potentially taking up the wing-back role.
Two familiar faces could feature against their former club, with Caoimhin Kelleher expected to start in goal and Jordan Henderson lining up in midfield. Up front, the Bees’ top scorer Igor Thiago, who has already netted five Premier League goals this season, should lead the attack alongside either Kevin Schade or Dango Ouattara.
On the Liverpool side, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak are both unlikely to feature after suffering hamstring and groin injuries respectively during the midweek victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Alisson Becker (hamstring) remain sidelined, while Ryan Gravenberch could return to the squad after recovering from a minor ankle problem that kept him out of the trip to Germany.
Manager Arne Slot faces a major selection dilemma in attack. Mohamed Salah is pushing for a recall despite struggling for form, the Egyptian has now gone seven league matches without a goal from open play. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz, who has started three of the last four Premier League games on the bench, made a strong case for inclusion after providing two assists in the 5-1 win over Frankfurt.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Collins, Van den Berg, Pinnock; Kayode, Henderson, Yarmolyuk, Lewis-Potter; Damsgaard; Schade, Thiago
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
EXPERT PREDICTION
Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
