A trip to Brentford is probably the last thing Arne Slot and Liverpool fancy at the moment after the midweek action. Nick Bruzon previews the Reds’ visit to the Gtech.
Three days later and The Gtech is still bouncing even now after ‘that’ game with reigning champions Manchester City. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the time tThe Bees went top of the Premier League after beating Arsenal in the first-ever fixture at this level. Pep Guardiola’s team played off the park in a 2-2 draw which, being brutally honest, Thomas Frank will probably feel his team should have won.
Certainly, the opportunity and performance was there as everybody in red and white played out of their skins for 90 minutes and beyond. Brentford a joy to behold as flowing move followed flowing move, chance followed chance and, eventually, goal followed goal.
Late strikes from Wissa and Norgaard levelled things up before Bryan Mbeumo almost took the win at the death. It was a wonderful evening, but, as always, Thomas will only have his squad looking forward after enjoying their own brief reflection on Wednesday.
It’s also a good thing as opponents do not come any tougher. Referee Andy Madley is joined on VAR by Paul Tierney.
He, somebody who, ESPN claim last season made the most errors when reviewing the action from his booth at Stockley Park. Indeed, then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – never one for a moan – has previously been noted for his observation about Tierney that, “I have no problems with any referees, only you.”
That aside, Liverpool are top of the league for good reason – namely Manchester City falling apart and Arsenal dropping points randomly. Mo Salah is on fire but must be knackered. The Trent Alexander-Arnold contract situation continues to cause a stink. Let’s hope there are no early errors from him, eh readers? Certainly given the reaction from sections of the loyal home support in their 2-2 with hapless Manchester United.
How dare he refuse to discuss his business in public? Why hasn’t he signed up for life? Then again, that’s the exemplification of this self-righteous sense of entitlement seen by so many, so often. A club steeped in that many former glories (and nobody can deny the quite immense success they have had in the past) that there’s now this pervading level of expectation and divine right that surrounds everything they touch.
Good luck to them. All it does is stoke the passions of those they play. There’s no greater scalp to take and with Brentford having more than held their own in recent seasons, I’m expecting the Gtech to be even louder than it was on Tuesday. If that’s possible.
Team news, the Bees are as was. Thomas Frank spoke in Thursday’s press conference to confirm the squad is the same as against Manchester City. I’m expecting the same starting XI although Kevin Schade really impressed from the bench.
Likewise, the return of Rico Henry to Premier League action was a joy to behold. If anything, he looked even faster and a third appearance in eight days will only excite the crowd even more.
Most observers outside of TW8 will expect Liverpool to win. Given that vast array of talent and their current occupying the penthouse suite in the league table hotel, one can understand why.
Then again, The Prem is a strange place. The unexpected can happen when least expected. Who honestly fancied Nottingham Forest to be making a title bid when the campaign began? Even Manchester United got a win last night, albeit Southampton making them look even more out of their depth than ever in the process.
So what if Brentford are considered to be the underdogs. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The bigger they come, the harder they fall.
Bring it on and see you there!
