Liverpool predicted line-up to face Brentford: Salah and Alisson back as Klopp offers Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai update

4 months ago 38
ARTICLE AD

Liverpool are expected to welcome back talisman Mohamed Salah when they travel to face Brentford this weekend, live on talkSPORT.

The 31-year-old hasn't played for the Reds since New Year's Day having suffered a hamstring duty on AFCON duty a month ago.

Liverpool will welcome back their talisman Salah

4

Liverpool will welcome back their talisman SalahCredit: AFP

However, the Egyptian returned to full training this week and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed he is on track to be involved.

"Mo is back in full training, that brings him automatically into contention, of course,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.

Salah remains Liverpool's top scorer this season with 18 goals in 27 appearances, despite having missed the last eight matches.

His status makes him a guaranteed starter from his favoured left side in Liverpool's front three if fit.

That means one of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez will have to drop out, with Colombian Diaz likely to be the one who makes way.

Jota is the current Premier League player of the month, having scored five goals in his last six league matches.

Meanwhile, all four of Liverpool's defeats in all competitions this season have come when Uruguayan Nunez hasn't started.

Alexander-Arnold's absence is a huge miss

4

Alexander-Arnold's absence is a huge miss

Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the club's vice-captain sidelined again after aggravating a knee injury.

The England defender is expected to miss next weekend's Carabao Cup final too, while Dominik Szoboszlai also faces a race against time to return.

Klopp explained: “People think about the final, which is fine absolutely, but before the final we have Brentford and Luton and I didn't think for a second about the final yet. 'He can't play the final!?' Yes, that's one that’s one game but we have before then there are two games, which is as bad that they cannot play.

Graeme Souness explains why Jurgen Klopp is a legend ahead of Arsene Wenger

"I think with Dom it will be around that time, we will see how it exactly works. And with Trent, a week or two longer. It is not great but it was not to avoid, actually, that it happened.

"I would say, I’m not sure Dom has a chance for the final but maybe and Trent will probably be after."

Conor Bradley, who flourished during Alexander-Arnold’s absence last month, returned to training this week after compassionate leave.

The 20-year-old will come into the side once more at right-back which will allow Joe Gomez more time to recover from illness.

Darwin Nunez scored as Liverpool returned to the top of the table

4

Darwin Nunez scored as Liverpool returned to the top of the tableCredit: Getty

Gomez missed the 3-1 win over Burnley alongside Alisson Becker, but the latter will replace Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks.

Ibrahima Konate is available again after his one-match suspension and will partner Virgil van Dijk in place of Jarell Quansah.

With Szoboszlai nursing a hamstring issue and Thiago Alcantara back in the treatment room, Alexis Mac Allister may get another chance to deputise as one of Liverpool's two No.8s in midfield.

The Argentine has often been deployed as a No.6 for his Liverpool career, but Wataru Endo's return from the Asian Cup will see him pushed further forward alongside Curtis Jones.

Harvey Elliott may be knocking on the door to start after emerging from the bench to grab two assists last time out.

But Klopp called for patience with the former Fulham youngster, saying: "We always forget how young he is, before the injury he was first on the team-sheet probably, young players go through different moments in the early moments of their career, Harvey is incredibly important and I'm sure he knows that."

Klopp has several key decisions to make

4

Klopp has several key decisions to make
Read Entire Article