Now that is the team news I wanted to see.
Liverpool have named their starting XI to face Brentford this afternoon, and there are two massive boosts straight away.
Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai are both fit enough to start.
And if that wasn’t enough, Cody Gakpo has also recovered sufficiently to take his place on the bench.
After all the injury worries during the international break, that is a huge relief for Liverpool and Andoni Iraola.
This is a difficult away game against a Brentford side that has been in good form, and Liverpool need a response after losing 3-0 to Manchester City last weekend.
Getting three important attacking players back into contention could make a real difference.
Isak is back – and Liverpool need him
I’m particularly pleased to see Isak starting.
Liverpool have missed having their first-choice striker available, and his return gives the team a natural focal point through the middle.
He’s capable of stretching defences, linking up with the players around him and finding those little spaces in the penalty area that good strikers thrive on.
With Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola alongside him, there is certainly enough quality in this front line to cause Brentford problems.
The important thing now is getting Isak back into the rhythm of playing regularly. Liverpool have invested heavily in him, and the team needs him fit and firing as the season develops.
Obviously, we will have to see how he looks after his injury, but simply having him available to start is encouraging news.
Szoboszlai’s return is just as important
The other big boost is Szoboszlai.
His energy, pressing and ability to carry the ball forward are important to the way Liverpool want to play. He can drive the team up the pitch, win possession and make those late runs into dangerous areas.
His absence was another problem for Iraola to manage, particularly with Ryan Gravenberch suspended for this game.
Now Szoboszlai is back alongside Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.
That gives Liverpool a much more experienced combination, and I’m interested to see how they work together against Brentford.
Mac Allister’s ability to dictate play should complement Szoboszlai’s energy and movement. If Liverpool can get control of the midfield, it will give Wirtz and the forwards a better platform to influence the game.
And Gakpo is back on the bench
This might be the most encouraging part of the team news.
Gakpo is named among the substitutes after recovering from his ankle problem.
He isn’t starting, so we shouldn’t assume he is ready for a full match, but having him available gives Iraola another option if Liverpool need a goal or a change of approach later on.
The bench also includes Jeremie Frimpong, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha.
That gives Liverpool a mixture of experience, pace and young attacking talent to call upon.
It is a much healthier situation than having to make do without Isak, Szoboszlai and Gakpo altogether.
Liverpool’s starting XI looks strong
Liverpool line up as follows:
Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Muñoz; Wirtz, Barcola, Isak.
Virgil van Dijk returns to the defence, with Jérémy Jacquet alongside him and Ronald Araújo at right-back.
For me, that back four has the potential to give Liverpool a solid foundation. Jacquet has impressed, Van Dijk brings leadership and experience, and Araújo offers defensive strength on the right.
Further forward, Wirtz and Barcola will be looking to provide the creativity and movement to support Isak.
There is plenty of quality in this team. The challenge is making it work together consistently.
Now Liverpool need to turn the boost into a result
I’m not going to pretend that getting three players back automatically guarantees a Liverpool victory.
Brentford are a difficult opponent, particularly at home, and Liverpool will have to earn this one.
But the team news has certainly improved my mood going into the game.
Isak starts. Szoboszlai starts. Gakpo is available if needed.
That gives Iraola more options, more quality and a much stronger attacking hand than he had available over the last couple of matches.
After the disappointment against Manchester City, Liverpool need a positive response. They need to start with intensity, move the ball quickly and take their chances when they arrive.
The excuses are beginning to disappear. Now it’s time for Liverpool to deliver.
Three important players are back in the picture, and that is a huge boost.
Let’s hope they can make it count at Brentford.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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