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Igor Thiago and Dango Ouattara are struggling. Can Liverpool rejuvenate duo?

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To say it has been an underwhelming start to the season for both Igor Thiago and Dango Ouattara would be a understatement.

The same cannot be said for their attacking colleagues. Kevin Schade has been Brentford's bright spark going forward with three league goals to his name so far.

New signing Jaidon Anthony is already beginning to look settled and quite the part, with the 26-year-old providing successive goal contributions against Chelsea and Aston Villa.

But Thiago and Ouattara have not been at the races so far, with the duo scoring one goal between them in 12 league appearances.

Dango Ouattara (right) celebrates scoring with Igor Thiago. (Image: PA)

The Brazilian's first goal was Brentford's second in their 3-0 win over Chelsea before the international break, but it hasn't been plain sailing for the striker.

The 25-year-old missed a penalty against Spurs, which would have seen Brentford spend the opening weekend top of the table.

He should have scored the winner at Leeds the following weekend and cut a forlorn figure against Sunderland and Bournemouth.

Aside from his break against Chelsea, the 25-year-old has not looked at his best and struggled to assert his dominance against Villa's centre-back partnership of Victor Lindelöf and Tyrone Mings, both of whom are over the age of 32.

If Thiago's struggles were already well-documented, Ouattara's don't particularly need much forensic investigation.

The Burkinabé has failed to score or assist in any of Brentford's league games so far, starting just twice and being substituted at half-time in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland.

The club-record signing has struggled to fulfil his potential and demonstrate why Brentford spent big money on him having joining from Bournemouth last summer.

Whilst he scored seven league goals, his missed penalty against West Ham in the FA Cup and missing a free header against Liverpool to secure Brentford European football remain notable moments but not for the better.

However with Schade set to be out with a shoulder injury, could this be an opportunity for Ouattara to work his way back into contention?

Brentford will certainly look to revert to their accustomed 4-3-3 formation ahead of Liverpool's visit, having gone 4-4-2 at Villa Park last weekend.

With Schade out, there is a possibility Anthony moves to the left, where he enjoyed success at Burnley.

Ouattara was a goalscorer in Brentford's 3-2 win over Liverpool. Can he redeem himself this weekend? (Image: PA)

Keane Lewis-Potter might be deployed at left-back to cope with Víctor Muñoz, who looked dangerous in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.

This potentially leaves Ouattara as the only option on the right-hand side, going up against his former Bournemouth teammate Milos Kerkez.

Like Thiago, the 24-year-old needs that elusive goal to get his season alive and kicking. His Brentford career is starting to become stagnant and a good performance against the Anfield side is desperately needed.

Brentford emerged victorious the last time Liverpool came to town, and Ouattara and Thiago were both goalscorers in a 3-2 win.

Given Andoni Iraola's side are still in transition, Saturday represents an ideal opportunity for Ouattara and Thiago to rediscover their mojo. Andrews will be hoping they can step up and deliver.

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