Liverpool Team News vs Brentford: Isak, Szoboszlai and Gakpo Face Late Fitness Calls
Liverpool head to Brentford with a familiar problem, availability. Andoni Iraola has been without three important attackers and midfielders in recent weeks, and the picture remains unclear ahead of the trip to west London. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are all pushing to return, though none has yet been guaranteed a place in the squad.
That matters because Liverpool looked short of cutting edge in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City. They then beat LASK Linz 6-3 in Europe, but the context is obvious. Different opponent, different rhythm, and still no sign of the three senior names who would normally improve the starting side immediately.
Iraola has said he is keeping the “chance open” regarding the return of Szoboszlai, Isak and Gakpo. That is realistic rather than revealing. At this stage, there is no point pretending certainty exists when it does not.
Injury latest before Brentford clash
Szoboszlai missed the City game after returning from Hungary duty with a hamstring problem. It was an unexpected absence and one Liverpool felt. He gives the midfield drive, structure and final-third quality, and without him there is more burden on younger players and more responsibility on Florian Wirtz to connect the game.
Isak and Gakpo were both forced home early from international duty, Isak with a thigh issue and Gakpo with an ankle complaint. Neither was ready for the defeat at Anfield, and neither travelled for the midweek win in Austria. If either is passed fit late, Liverpool’s attack instantly looks more credible.
Photo: IMAGO
Elsewhere, Giovanni Leoni will not return to training until the November international break. Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley remain out for the longer term. Ryan Gravenberch is unavailable through suspension after his red card against City.
Midfield and attack options for Iraola
Alexis Mac Allister should come straight back into the side after being rested in midweek. Trey Nyoni, still only 19, is likely to continue if Szoboszlai does not make it. He has handled the responsibility well and has earned trust.
In attack, Lewis Koumas has taken his chance. He led the line against LASK and scored his first Champions League goal after seeing two earlier efforts ruled out for offside. If Isak and Gakpo are still unavailable, he is the obvious option to start again.
Bradley Barcola, after a hat-trick in Austria, has made his case on the left. On the right, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha are competing for the slot. Wirtz is expected to continue as the central creator, despite the scrutiny around his recent displays.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Brentford
Virgil van Dijk was rested in midweek and returns. That should push Ronald Araujo across to the right side, with Jeremy Jacquet keeping his place centrally. Milos Kerkez is set to come back in at left-back, while Alisson Becker remains a given in goal.
Brentford arrive unbeaten, in form and sitting fourth, so this is not a fixture Liverpool can approach loosely. If the three doubts miss out again, Iraola will need another improvised side to be clinical and disciplined.
Predicted XI: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola, Koumas.
Unavailable: Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni. Doubts: Szoboszlai, Isak, Gakpo. Suspended: Gravenberch.
Kick-off is 3pm BST on Saturday, October 17 at the Gtech Community Stadium.