Preview: Brentford vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking to continue their strong start to life in the Premier League, Brentford prepare to play host to Liverpool in Saturday evening's showdown.

Both sides enter the contest having marched to convincing wins in their respective EFL Cup showdowns, with Thomas Frank's side putting seven past Oldham Athletic while the Reds eased to a 3-0 win over Norwich City.

Match preview

© Reuters

The week for four-goal Premier League heroes in the EFL Cup saw Marcus Forss steal the show for Brentford against Oldham, with the Finnish forward scoring four of his side's seven goals in a 7-0 drubbing on Tuesday evening.

New signing Yoane Wissa netted a brace of his own while Oldham's Raphael Diarra turned into his own net, but Brentford have four challenging league showdowns with Liverpool, West Ham United, Chelsea and Leicester City to tackle before their fourth-round clash with Stoke City.

However, the Bees' impressive opening haul of eight points from the first 15 on offer sees them sit comfortably in ninth position, and if last weekend's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers is anything to go by, Ivan Toney is finally hitting his stride in the big time.

Brentford's success over Wolves was all the more impressive given that they had to navigate the final 30 minutes with 10 men, and Frank's side prepare to welcome Liverpool to a ground where they have already got the better of Arsenal this term.

Furthermore, only Chelsea, Manchester City and upcoming opponents Liverpool have shipped fewer than Brentford's two goals so far, although that stellar record will be tested to the extreme against Jurgen Klopp's well-oiled machine.

© Reuters

Takumi Minamino took all of four minutes to stamp his authority on the Carrow Road turf in the EFL Cup, as the Japan international's early strike set Liverpool on their way to a comfortable 3-0 success over the Premier League's basement side in round three.

Minamino would add some gloss to the scoreline with his second in the final 10 minutes after Divock Origi had already put the tie to bed, with that success in Norwich marking the fourth game in a row in all competitions that Liverpool have chalked up three goals.

Now able to boast six wins and a draw from their opening seven games continentally and domestically, Liverpool are one of three sides sitting on 13 points from a possible 15 so far, and they will witness one of Chelsea or Manchester City drop points in the day's early kickoff.

The Reds have also won each of their last three Premier League away games by a 3-0 scoreline and have embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run on the road in the top flight, but Brentford have proven that they are not here just to make up the numbers.

It has been 32 years since Liverpool and Brentford last locked horns in any competition, with the Reds easing to a 4-0 win in the sixth round of the 1988-89 FA Cup, during which Peter Beardsley (2) and John Barnes both found the back of the net.

Team News

© Reuters

Brentford will be forced into a midfield alteration following Shandon Baptiste's red card against Wolves, while Josh Dasilva and Mads Sorensen are still out injured.

Saman Ghoddos helped himself to three assists against Oldham and will hope to fill the void left by Baptiste's absence, but Frank Onyeka is another option for Frank.

Despite bagging six goals between them in the EFL Cup, Wissa and Forss's chances of replacing Toney or Bryan Mbeumo in the first XI for the Premier League are slim to none.

Liverpool will hope to welcome Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold back in time for this game, with both players expected to feature after battling back from a thigh injury and illness respectively.

Thiago Alcantara's calf problem he sustained against Crystal Palace is set to keep him out alongside Harvey Elliott, while Neco Williams is a doubt and Naby Keita has been ruled out by Klopp.

Klopp does have the Champions League tie with Porto to keep in mind but should still revert to his strongest XI regardless, with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane all set for recalls.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Ajer, Pinnock, Jansson; Canos, Norgaard, Ghoddos, Janelt, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Jota, Mane

We say: Brentford 0-2 Liverpool

Liverpool cannot expect to break down Brentford's staunch defence at will this weekend, and Klopp may have one eye on upcoming battles with Porto and Manchester City.

However, most of the visitors' big-hitters are well-rested and are simply flying away from home in the top flight, so we still expect Liverpool to record a straightforward win.