Brentford vs Liverpool: can Iriola find a response against the Bees?

Brentford welcome Liverpool to the Gtech Community Stadium today, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

The Bees sit fourth on 10 points after six games unbeaten, while Liverpool arrive ninth on nine points, still reeling from a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City last weekend.

Liverpool hold the historical edge over Brentford, winning 14 of the 24 meetings between the

Sides.

Brentford have won five, with the remaining five ending in draws.

Since the Bees' promotion to the Premier League in 2021, Liverpool have won six of the ten

league meetings between the clubs, with Brentford claiming two victories and two draws.

However, Brentford have proved more competitive on home soil, with their most recent win, at the Gtech Community Stadium, coming in October 2025, a 3-2 victory over Liverpool.

Goals have been a recurring feature of this fixture in West London team, with four of the last five meetings at the stadium producing at least four goals.

The exception came in January 2025, when Liverpool claimed a 2-0 win.

Brentford will take confidence from that recent home record, having scored at least twice in

each of their last three wins or draws against the Reds at the stadium.

The sides last met in May 2026, playing out a 1-1 draw at Anfield to close out the 2025/26

Season.

Liverpool injury and team updates

Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have all missed Liverpool's past two

matches through injuries picked up during the international break.

Xabi Iraola was asked at Thursday's press conference whether the trio could return for

Saturday's fixture, with the Liverpool head coach waiting on Friday's training session before

making a decision.

Iraola said:“We have to wait and see. I think it's still very early, but the same way I said they are not available for the previous games, I leave the chance open this time, yes."

Ryan Gravenberch will also miss out through suspension following his red card against

Manchester City, leaving Liverpool with another midfield selection headache.

That opens the door for young midfielder Trey Nyoni, who has proven a capable deputy on

previous occasions.

Iraola stressed the importance of squad depth, adding: "We need everyone, we will need

everyone in one moment or the other.”

That could pave the way for Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo, both available for selection,

while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain longer-term absentees.

Brentford injury updates offer mixed news.

Brentford could be boosted by the potential returns of Kevin Schade and Jannik Schuster, both of whom picked up injuries in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on October 10.

Head coach Keith Andrews confirmed both players had returned to training, though their

involvement will depend on how they progress ahead of the match.

Andrews said: "Jannik and Kev have been on the grass this week and we'll see what tomorrow brings in terms of how much they can do."

Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins and Mikkel Damsgaard are also moving closer to a return, though their availability remains uncertain.

Josh Dasilva and Kaye Furo remain sidelined, while Antoni Milambo is also among the club's

injury concerns.

Liverpool need a response after Manchester City defeat Liverpool's 6-3 Champions League win over LASK on Tuesday offers some encouragement, but the Reds must now turn that attacking performance into a stronger league display against the Bees.

Brentford, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their recent results and the attacking threat they

continue to pose.

Andrews has also emphasised the importance of using his squad through a demanding

campaign, highlighting the contribution of players like Mamadou Sangaré.

The midfielder has impressed since arriving, and Andrews expects him to play a significant role as the season progresses.

Andrews said: "If we want to achieve a really special season, we're going to need everybody."

Predicted line-ups

Brentford: Caoimhín Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg, Rico Henry,Vitaly Janelt, Mamadou Sangaré, Paris Maghoma, Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago.

Liverpool: Alisson Becker, Ronald Araújo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Trey

Nyoni, Alexis Mac Allister, Victor Muñoz, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Lewis Koumas.