Our writers predict the Liverpool line-ups for tonight's Premier League clash against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium
Theo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men's final since 1966. A senior football journalist, Theo joined the ECHO's sports team from Bolton Wanderers in 2018, having previously spent four seasons in the former Premier League side's communications team where he ran the club's website and social media channels. A regular in the Anfield press box since joining the ECHO, since being promoted to Liverpool FC Writer, Theo has reported on Jurgen Klopp's side as they won the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley, and competed in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. A regular on the Blood Red podcast, Theo has also conducted a number of exclusive interviews during his time with the ECHO, speaking to the likes of Roger Hunt, Nicolas Anelka, and Alberto Aquilani.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC) looks on during the Champions League group game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany, on October 22, 2025. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah will be hoping to be recalled into the Liverpool team tonight after starting the midweek Champions League win on the bench
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Liverpool attempt to get their title defence back on track tonight at Brentford (8pm kick-off). The Reds stopped their mini rot with an excellent and morale-boosting 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek.
But having secured their second Champions League victory of the season, they will be determined to end a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League this evening.
It won't be easy, however, against a Brentford side that have beaten Aston Villa and Manchester United and ran Chelsea and Manchester City close at home this season.
Liverpool have injury problems, too, with up to five players missing the clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.
How, then, does Reds boss play it? Our writers have their say...
Paul Gorst
Arne Slot didn't exactly go back to basics to see off Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night but the changes he made certainly worked as Liverpool looked a more fluid attacking outfit than they have in recent weeks.
The decision to recall Andy Robertson for Milos Kerkez was the right on, in my book, and with Jeremie Frimpong now hamstrung, this feels like a good time for Conor Bradley to start over Joe Gomez at right-back.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai was outstanding in Germany and he starts once more alongside Curtis Jones, who keeps his place despite the claims of Alexis Mac Allister, who still doesn't look 100%.
The decision to start Florian Wirtz is one I wrestled with here. The playmaker may find space at a premium against a powerful Brentford but after his best performance for Liverpool to date, you have to keep the No.7 in the team. He starts in a more central role for me this evening.
Mohamed Salah returns. There has been a huge debate about the Egyptian but with Alexander Isak unlikely to feature, Slot needs goalscorers and there are none better at Anfield than Salah, despite how much public opinion has been oddly swayed by a handful of games.
My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Ian Doyle
A win is a win. But Liverpool will have been particularly relieved to get back on track with their comprehensive Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek. Saturday evening in Brentford in the Premier League, though, is a very different and more difficult proposition.
What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
With this a third of seven games in 22 days, there will be changes, although almost all of them are injury-influenced.
Giorgi Mamardashvili didn't have loads to do in Germany but can expect a busy time tonight and will stay in goal. Ibrahima Konate can partner skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, and for me Andy Robertson has done enough to stay at left-back with Conor Bradley in at right-back.
Brentford are likely to switch to a five-man defence so I'd stick to a 4-4-2 approach. And there's no point risking Ryan Gravenberch, so Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones can continue as the double pivot, with Cody Gakpo off to the left and Florian Wirtz ostensibly on the right.
It means Mohamed Salah can return in a central striking role alongside Hugo Ekitike. Don't think Brentford will be expecting that.
My team (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Jones; Gakpo; Salah, Ekitike.
Theo Squires
After returning to winning ways in emphatic fashion against Frankfurt, Liverpool now face a difficult trip to Brentford where a few familiar faces will be looking to bring them crashing back down to earth.
Arne Slot will likely have to make at least two enforced changes for the trip to the capital, with the Reds injury woes slowly starting to creep up.
Conor Bradley comes in at right-back for the injured Jeremie Frimpong, but the rest of the back five can stay unchanged. Andy Robertson impressed enough against Frankfurt to keep his place ahead of the under-pressure Milos Kerkez.
Ryan Gravenberch remains a doubt because of a twisted ankle, so I wouldn’t be taking any unnecessary risks with him.
While there is a temptation to recall Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentine is still not at his best so, given how well Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai played in Germany, that engine-room pairing can continue.
That means Florian Wirtz also keeps his place after also catching the eye with two assists against Frankfurt. He can move back into his favoured number 10 position for this one.
Mohamed Salah gets a recall on the right with Alexander Isak an injury doubt, as Hugo Ekitike again leads the line.
My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
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