Liverpool will look to build on their midweek Champions League win at LASK when they return to Premier League action at Brentford on Saturday afternoon. Andoni Iraola's side are aiming to respond to last weekend's 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City against an in-form Brentford side.
Liverpool lost 3-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium last season, with Keith Andrews' team unbeaten in the Premier League this term and inside the top four of the early table.
Paul Gorst's predicted XI
Liverpool's second away game of the week is unlikely to be as welcoming as LASK's Raiffeisen Arena. The Reds have always found it tough at Brentford, and Iraola was right to highlight that his players must be ready for a battle.
If they can match their hosts in that sense, they may have a chance to showcase their quality, which could make all the difference in west London. That means Ronald Araujo returns to right-back and Virgil van Dijk partners Jeremy Jacquet once more. Liverpool haven't conceded with 11 men on the pitch in the Premier League since the August draw with Nottingham Forest.
In midfield, Trey Nyoni will start if Dominik Szoboszlai has not passed his late fitness test. Alexis Mac Allister is the other player as Ryan Gravenberch sits out due to suspension. Florian Wirtz starts in the position designed for him by Iraola, and Rio Ngumoha is kept in the side on the right flank. Bradley Barcola's hat-trick means he has to start too. Lewis Koumas leads the line if Alexander Isak cannot make it.
Paul's team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Koumas.
Ian Doyle's predicted XI
It has usually either been feast or famine for Liverpool at Brentford during recent years. After events at Anfield last week, Iraola's side could do with a strong result. Despite continued question marks over the fitness of a number of players, there is still scope for rotation.
Alisson Becker is in goal, but it's almost all change in defence, with Virgil van Dijk back to partner Jeremy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez at left-back, and Ronald Araujo offering height at right-back. The suspension of Ryan Gravenberch and possible absence of Dominik Szoboszlai has left Liverpool short in midfield. But even if the Hungarian makes it, Trey Nyoni should keep his place with Alexis Mac Allister joining him at the base of the engine room and Szoboszlai the number 10.
Up front, hat-trick hero Bradley Barcola is on the left, Lewis Koumas can stay down the middle with Rio Ngumoha going again on the right.
Ian's team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Barcola; Koumas.
Mark Jones's predicted XI
With such a tight turnaround into this game it was interesting to see who played the full 90 minutes against LASK and who didn't. Among the outfield players it was Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Lewis Koumas who stayed on for the duration. Of those only Koumas could start here, depending on Alexander Isak's fitness.
Alisson will be in goal, behind a back four of Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez. With Gravenberch suspended, Trey Nyoni gets a go again in midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister, with the vibes suggesting that Dominik Szoboszlai could be fit enough to return as the No.10, giving Wirtz a rest. Then Bradley Barcola starts on the left, Rio Ngumoha on the right, and if Isak can't make it then Koumas gets another go upfront.
Mark's team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Barcola; Koumas.
Richard Garnett's predicted XI
Liverpool looked like their old self against LASK on Wednesday evening, but facing a bullish Brentford is an entirely different proposition. It wouldn't surprise me if the result hinged on the return of the Reds' injured trio, but I think at least two of the three will be back in contention for this match.
With Alisson Becker in between the sticks, I'm sticking with the now familiar back four of Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jaquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez. The engine room is an interesting one. Ryan Gravenberch is suspended and Florian Wirtz played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League, so there are changes here. I'm backing Trey Nyoni to start in the middle alongside Alexis Mac Allister, with a fit-again Dominik Szoboszlai returning to the side in the attacking midfield role.
Up top, hat-trick hero Bradley Barcola continues on the left wing, with Rio Ngumoha retaining his spot on the right after impressing in midweek. The minutes afforded to Lewis Koumas in the Champions League suggest that Alexander Isak will make this one. The Swede leads the line.
Richard's team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Barcola; Isak.
