
Liverpool head to Brentford for game week nine hoping the midweek mauling of Eintracht Frankfurt wasn’t a one-off. The 5–1 Champions League win felt like a release, fast, fearless, clinical, everything they hadn’t been in recent weeks. Now it’s about backing it up in the Premier League.
Arne Slot’s adjustments in midweek worked. Giorgi Mamardashvili looked composed in goal and used the ball well from the back. Conor Bradley’s inclusion at right-back brought energy, while Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk steadied a defence that’s leaked too many goals. Andy Robertson, offered width and leadership down the left.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones controlled midfield with purpose, while Florian Wirtz, still settling into English football, produced his most fluid performance yet in that advanced role. Up front, Hugo Ekitike’s directness stretched Frankfurt throughout, Cody Gakpo linked play intelligently.
For a side that lifted the title just months ago, four straight defeats had left Liverpool rattled. The intensity was gone, the pressing looked half-hearted, and the goals had dried up. But Wednesday changed the mood. Slot’s team finally played with bite and belief again, led by a front line that rediscovered its edge.
Brentford are never straightforward. Liverpool will need the same tempo and control they found in Germany to avoid another slip.
Slot confirmed Alexander Isak and Gravenberch would be assessed prior to kick-off in his pre-match press conference. Jeremie Frimpong picked up a hamstring injury midweek and has been ruled out for a few weeks. Giovanni Leoni remains out long-term, and Alisson Becker is still unavailable. The rest of the squad came through the midweek game unscathed.
GK Giorgi Mamardashvili
RB Conor Bradley
CB Ibrahima Konate
CB Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB Andy Robertson
CM Dominik Szoboszlai
CM Alexis Mac Allister
AM Florian Wirtz
RW Federico Chiesa
CF Hugo Ekitike
LW Cody Gakpo
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