Brentford, bolstered by the arrivals of Liverpool duo Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, head to Anfield for their second Premier League game of the season. Nick Bruzon previews.
Back in the day, the closest Brentford ever got to signing a player from Liverpool was the short-lived stay of Champions League goalscorer Stephen Wright in 2010. The defender joining a ‘few’ years after his strike against Borussia Dortmund and taking the long way around via Crewe, Sunderland, Stoke and Coventry.
That was then. This is now. Fourteen years later and there’s a veritable conveyor belt out of Anfield as new Reds’ manager Arne Slot starts to clear the decks. Hot off the heels of Fabio Carvalho’s arrival, Thursday evening saw the signing of right-sided centre-back Sepp van den Berg. Our second £20m+ signing from Liverpool in as many weeks will wear the number 4 shirt last filled by Charlie Goode.
Aside from being yet another example of what feels like almost continual growth since winning League 2 in 2009 (in front of fewer than 4 000 supporters), it is yet another marker in the sand as to the levels the club are now striving to ensure this continues. It does also shine further speculation on what the future holds for Ivan Toney, given the additional outlay on Igor Thiago.
Moreso, with the apparent arrival of 18-year-old winger Gustavo Nunes from Gremio seemingly imminent. At Brentford, perhaps more than anywhere else, the philosophy of sensible spending and shrewd investment has always been front and centre. What comes in, must go out. Yes?
Of course, Ivan missed the defeat of Crystal Palace at the weekend following ‘transfer speculation’. The win secured as much with defensive solidity as goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa and a result which sees Brentford currently sitting in the top six. The winning goal meaning Wissa has scored and provided an assist in his last three games. Should he do it again at Anfield he’ll become the first player in Premier League history to make it four-in-a row.
Questioned about the situation by Sky Sports this week, Thomas Frank has been quite open. Praising Ivan’s attitude during training but also acknowledging that the player has expressed his desire to try something new. Noting also that “You never know in the world of football” when asked if the England international could feature on Sunday.
Let’s be honest here. The most anybody really expects might be a short cameo off the bench. Being cynical, a shop window reminder. Ivan is loved to bits in TW8 but the wait for this to be resolved, one way or another, is excruciating.
If nothing else, the Bryan-Wissa bromance and current goal-scoring streak suggests that no change is imminent. Let them start together again and if Ivan is needed/ \risked (nobody wants a big money move scuppered by a late injury) then the option is still there.
The rest of the team names itself. As much through the left-back conundrum as anything else. It’s probably too soon to chuck in a new central defender for a three-man backline and so, surely, the team names itself. That which started against Crystal Palace.
For Liverpool, there has been a massively sensible approach since the transition from Jurgen Klopp to Slot. Continue with the tried and tested squad rather than launch full tilt into crazed spending. The current tribulations at Chelsea illustrating the folly of further excess. An already bloated squad being force-fed at the all-you-can-spend buffet, regardless of the consequence to both player morale or future finance.
Besides, Liverpool overcame the potential potato skin of a season opener away to a promoted team in fine style. We all know how those can work out. Just ask Mikel Arteta. Instead, they weathered the early storm to run out what felt comfortable victors at Portman Road. More of the same will be the absolute expectation for Arne Slot’s first competitive home fixture.
Liverpool are, without a doubt, one of the THE teams in recent seasons. Champions during the covid campaign and running Manchester City oh-so-close in others. Silverware being lifted across domestic and European cup competitions a regular occurrence.
By all rights, this should be a one-horse race. Then again, we all know how those can work out. Just ask Pep Guardiola. If nothing else, with rainstorms and thunder predicted all afternoon could the elements have as big a hand in proceedings as anything else?
I can’t wait for Sunday afternoon when we find out.
