Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane agree over their Brentford vs Liverpool prediction, with the two pundits sharing the same verdict ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash
Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane predicted the same scoreline for Brentford vs Liverpool this weekend
Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane predicted the same scoreline for Brentford vs Liverpool this weekend(Image: Overlap/YouTube)
Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane have agreed over their prediction for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Brentford.
Liverpool maintained its perfect start to their Champions League campaign with a 6-3 victory over LASK in Austria on Tuesday evening. Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick, while Ronald Araujo, Jeremie Frimpong, and Lewis Koumas were also on target.
Andoni Iraola's side must now quickly shift their focus back to the Premier League as they look to respond to last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The Reds face another difficult test at the Gtech Community Stadium, where they will take on a Brentford side sitting fourth in the table and among the league's remaining unbeaten teams.
Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, Gerrard predicted a 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Brentford, pointing to the Reds' injury problems as a key factor in his decision.
“I think in the current circumstances with what Liverpool have available and the injuries, I’m gonna go for 1-1,” said the former Liverpool captain.
Keane shared Gerrard's view, insisting Brentford would be difficult to beat on home soil given Liverpool's current struggles. He said: “No way are Brentford getting beaten at home by Liverpool, with all their problems. 1-1 is not a bad shout.”
Liverpool will be hoping to welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, and Cody Gakpo for the trip to west London. The trio has been unavailable since before the recent extended international break, leaving Iraola without several key options in his first-choice XI.
AI predicts that Jaidon Anthony will open the scoring against Liverpool
AI predicts that Jaidon Anthony will open the scoring against Liverpool(Image: Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash, Iraola admitted it was too early to know whether any of the three would be fit to return, but said he was keeping the possibility open. "It's early for us to say [on injury returns]," he said. "We have tomorrow in training, they weren't ready last night [against LASK]. We have to wait and see. I leave the chance open…”
Ryan Gravenberch will miss the weekend's clash through suspension after receiving two yellow cards in Liverpool's defeat to City, leaving Iraola short of options in central midfield. Szoboszlai could fill the deeper role, but the midfielder is also an injury doubt. Iraola could instead drop Florian Wirtz further back and find a replacement in an advanced position, although that appears unlikely. Another option would be to turn to academy youngster Trey Nyoni.
Iraola added: "In this period especially, playing every three days, you need more players and that is why we change yesterday. We need to change Brentford and then Villarreal, too. We need everyone, they need to be ready."
If Isak remains unavailable, Koumas is likely to retain his place in the starting XI after scoring Liverpool's final goal in their win over LASK. "He deserves the minutes," Iraola said when asked about the youngster. "We are using him more because Isak is injured, but if I wasn't comfortable, then I have other options.
"He knows he is ready to learn and be the best player he can be. He had a lovely moment yesterday, two goals disallowed and finally score the third one. A lovely moment for him."