Jurgen Klopp could consider changing his formation for Liverpool‘s first-ever trip to Brentford‘s new stadium, with the Reds manager short of options in midfield.
Liverpool are now on a run of seven games unbeaten to start the season, having scored three in each of their last four games – the most recent, a 3-0 thrashing of Norwich.
That League Cup tie saw Klopp make nine changes to his starting lineup, with only Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas retained from the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace three days previous.
Another reshuffle is likely for a first-ever Premier League clash with Brentford, which also brings a first-ever meeting at their new Brentford Community Stadium.
But how could Klopp deploy his side in west London?
A month-and-a-half into the season and it has been a busy treatment room for Liverpool:
- Roberto Firmino and Neco Williams back in full training after injury
- Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner also available following illness
- Thiago and Naby Keita ruled out; Thiago set to miss at least three more games
Klopp likely to make a minimum of 10 changes from the midweek win at Norwich
Liverpool’s XI vs. Brentford
With rotation the order of the month during their busy run of seven games in 21 days, Klopp can be expected to make almost wholesale changes once again.
In fact, only one player is likely to keep his place in the side from the 3-0 victory at Carrow Road in midweek:
- Alisson to replace Caoimhin Kelleher in goal
- Alexander-Arnold to rejoin Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson
- Curtis Jones a possibility alongside incoming Fabinho and Jordan Henderson
- Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota certain to come into attack
If Jones is the sole player retained, Liverpool could line up like this:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Salah, Mane, Jota
However, given the glut of injuries in midfield with Thiago and Keita joining Harvey Elliott on the sidelines, there is a chance Klopp shifts his formation:
- Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, and Robertson remain likely back five
- Fabinho and Henderson could form two-man midfield; Jones and James Milner in reserve
- Firmino back in to take No. 10 role, with Salah, Mane and Jota alongside him
This may be a riskier setup, but this 4-2-3-1 would allow Liverpool to take to the field like this:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane, Jota
At this stage, it seems likely that Klopp will stick with his trusted 4-3-3 setup, particularly against a side as well-drilled and unpredictable as Brentford.
But there is intrigue in the 4-2-3-1, particularly if Firmino is given license to drop deep and create while Salah, Mane and Jota interchange as the front three.
