Liverpool face a stern test against Brentford after a dismal week – with Alex Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones set to miss a game they can ill afford to lose… as Man City loom after the international break
- Liverpool suffered defeat in midweek against Toulouse after drawing at Luton
- Klopp’s side are set to be without key players due to injury and suspension
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Jurgen Klopp has a growing list of problems to solve going into the third international break of the season, with Sunday’s clash with Brentford at Anfield suddenly feeling a rather more significant match than it did a week ago.
The visit of Thomas Frank’s team is not quite in the ‘must-win’ category but, after a dismal week in which Liverpool fell to a draw at Luton and a defeat in Toulouse, the Reds cannot afford another sub-par display, especially noting the next fixture after this is a trip to Manchester City.
Klopp was left aggrieved by shambolic organisation by UEFA that saw his post-match press conference carried out in a makeshift tent across the road from Stade de Toulouse – he did not say much after the loss, but what he did say was damning.
The German slammed Liverpool’s lack of aggression, poor defending and said they must ‘learn quick’ if they are to justify praise laid at their door so far this season. The praise has been warranted but there are still cracks to be ironed out if Klopp’s men are to push on.
Despite spending north of £150million on four midfield signings this summer, they host Brentford short on options in the centre of the park. Alexis Mac Allister is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season at Luton, with Wataru Endo set to deputise in the holding midfield role.
Jurgen Klopp is facing a few selection headaches ahead of the visit of Brentford on Sunday
Liverpool suffered their first defeat of their Europa League campaign against Toulouse in midweek
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Thomas Frank’s side claimed an impressive 3-2 win against West Ham in their last outing
Ryan Gravenberch, with a minor knee injury suffered in training, is unlikely to be fit enough to start. Curtis Jones, who is one of Klopp’s most-trusted players, has a low-grade hamstring pull and has struggled for games since the three-game ban he received for a red card at Tottenham.
Long-term absentees Thiago Alcantara and well-liked Stefan Bajcetic are also out. The loss at Toulouse highlighted a lack of strength in depth, with fans questioning whether Kostas Tsimikas is a good enough back-up to Andy Robertson, who is on the sidelines until the New Year.
Liverpool will be boosted by the return of captain Virgil van Dijk, who did not travel to France with an illness, while Luis Diaz is in a better frame of mind after the safe return of his kidnapped father on Thursday.
Klopp said Liverpool struggled to cope with raucous atmospheres at Kenilworth Road and Stade de Toulouse but luckily for them they are back at Anfield, where they have won their first eight games there this season by two or more goals. After a tough week, there is no place like home.
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