Reds boss Andoni Iraola has not been able to call upon the key trio since before the recent extended international break, significantly weakening his first-choice starting XI.
Forwards Isak (thigh) and Gakpo (ankle), meanwhile, both returned to Merseyside early during the international window after sustaining problems while playing for Sweden and the Netherlands respectively.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak both start for Liverpool against Brentford
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And he does indeed start along with Isak, with Gakpo on the bench.
Mac Allister is restored to the starting lineup against Brentford, partnered by Szoboszlai with teenager Trey Nyoni on the bench.
The absences of Isak and Gakpo have led to Nyoni’s fellow highly-rated youngster Lewis Koumas being offered the opportunity to lead Liverpool’s attack of late, and he scored his first Champions League goal against LASK after initially seeing two disallowed for offside.
However, Koumas makes way today as Isak starts, supported from the left by Wednesday’s hat-trick hero Bradley Barcola.
Florian Wirtz retains Iraola’s faith as the No10 for now despite more criticism of his performances from the likes of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
Fan favourite Rio Ngumoha replaced summer signing Victor Munoz on the right flank in Austria, though that switch is reversed here.
That return sees Barcelona loanee Ronald Araujo shift to the right as Van Dijk slots back in alongside Jeremy Jacquet, with the struggling Jeremie Frimpong dropping out.
Milos Kerkez also returns at left-back at the expense of Kostas Tsimikas, who captained Liverpool against LASK, with Alisson Becker a familiar figure in goal.
Liverpool XI vs Brentford (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha
Injured: Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni
Suspended: Gravenberch
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday October 17, 2026
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium