Saturday lunchtime sees one of those fixtures that always gets the pulse racing. Brentford welcome Liverpool to the Gtech for a game that, historically, has only seen us up to our arm pits in excitement.
The opening Premier League campaign’s see-saw 3-3 one in which Ivan Toney was denied a famous winner by the offside flag. Then, last season, the margin of our 3-1 victory could have been even greater but for VAR.
Plus ça change. However, with this most maligned of systems coming to Brentford’s aid at a crucial point in our 2-0 win at Wolves last week, let’s not be too harsh. That game saw Mark Flekken on fire once more following on from his MOTM performance against Manchester City. Likewise, Sergio Reguilón, who picked up star player bragging rights at Molineux.
More of the same can be expected. Both in terms of the Brentford line-up and last season. An identical starting XI to that used against both City and Wolves is, surely, the only one Thomas can name? Ivan and Neal are absolutely bossing it up top. The midfield and three centre-backs pick themselves. Only Mads Roerslev remains for a full house.
Wissa and Frank Onyeka are both back from AFCON duty so expect an even stronger looking bench. With Bryan Mbeumo filmed at the training ground this week, our longer-term prognosis looks even stronger even if this is a game or three too soon.
Like Bryan, Mo Salah was also seen at training this week. However, the Egyptian’s injury on international duty is such that there’s more chance of me getting a game than Mo. Also seemingly absent will be Trent Alexander-Arnold, with his own prognosis negative for the rest of this month.
Despite this dynamic duo missing out, Liverpool’s starting XI still feels terrifyingly strong. They are top of the Premier League table for good reason and will be looking to extend that even further. Regardless of getting one over Manchester City, the emotional tug of what has now been revealed to be Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield will be hard to resist.
Yet. Yet… if anyone can upset the big boys it is Brentford. Let’s not forget how last season’s thashing at the Gtech included what Klopp would subsequently describe as our unique brand of ‘chaos’. About how we use physicality at set pieces to ’stretch the rules’.
Let’s not forget either how that was a game played without Ivan Toney (genuinely injured) and Neal Maupay (dead on his feet at Everton).
We all know the added element they bring to our game – starting with ‘sh’ and ending with ‘housery’. A trait picked up by Mark Flekken who wound up Wolves a treat with his own ‘drop and run’ to slow play down last week. Seeing this in full effect can only be a thing of beauty.
The Bees are back on form at present. We should have beaten Spurs. We could have beaten City. We did beat Forest and have now sent Wolves packing.
Carry on where we left off and even if putting three past Liverpool for a third successive home game is beyond most fans’ wildest predictions, at the very least we’ll have fun trying.
Don’t forget this one starts at 12.30pm. I can’t wait. See you there..
