Liverpool play their first game of 2023 as they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford on Monday. We at Last Word on Football have put together a Liverpool Predicted Lineup for the important clash in which the Reds hope to start the new year on a high note.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Brentford
How Liverpool Have Lined-Up Recently
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been in impressive form since the season restarted after the winter break, winning both their final Premier League games of 2022. They are still being troubled by injury issues and not being helped with players picking up knocks in almost every other game.
https://twitter.com/media_newsnoon/status/1609696141230178305
Of course, the big talking point about the Brentford game is Liverpool’s new signing Cody Gakpo, but it is unlikely that he’ll be able to play.
Read More: Why Liverpool Are in a Race to Sign Enzo Fernandez
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez have created a nice partnership up front, with the former’s off-the-ball running and link-up play helping create chances for the Egyptian winger. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is slotting in as a left-winger due to his side’s fitness issues, as he adds more drive and pace through the final third. The Reds should continue with the same lineups that helped them defeat Aston Villa and Leicester City. But with Andy Robertson suffering a knock in the last game, it remains to be seen if he’s available for this one.
Liverpool’s Recent Form and Tactics
The Merseyside club have been in impressive form in the Premier League over the last few months. They’ve won their last four league games in a row and have moved to being just four points below to the top 4. Since the World Cup break, the Reds have won two out of their three games – only losing the Carabao Cup 4th round game against Manchester City.
Klopp has managed to reinvigorate his side and increase their energy levels since the season restarted. They seem to have rediscovered their character and are implementing their well-known high press, ‘heavy metal style’ perfectly. They are attacking in numbers, pressing their opposition players in their own half, and just being a challenge to play against.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is proving Gareth Southgate wrong by being an impressive creative beacon for Liverpool, causing a lot of trouble with his delivery into the final third. Nunez is also helping create chances with his off-the-ball work, while Salah looks to be re-energized after the World Cup break.
Read More: Liverpool Progressing in Contract Talks With Roberto Firmino
Liverpool will, however, have to be defensively sturdier against an unpredictable side like Brentford, who love attacking their opposition sides at home. The Reds haven’t kept a clean sheet in six Premier League games now and even though Alisson is there to make amazing saves, he can’t bail out his teammates all the time.
Incredible, @VirgilvDijk ✨ pic.twitter.com/f929paaltY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2023
Virgil van Dijk has to ensure he can keep a stubborn defensive line and maintain control at the back to stop the hosts from running riot. The Merseyside club has to be prolific in the counter-attacks and set-pieces to outwit the hosts and go away with three points.
Liverpool Injuries to Consider
Harvey Elliott and Robertson both picked up knocks in the Leicester game, meaning they could miss this one. Curtis Jones is still working on regaining match fitness, but Roberto Firmino and James Milner can return against Brentford. Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, and Arthur Melo are still out for quite some time.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara, Mo Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Darwin Nunez
