Brentford – Liverpool: Birds Pick Apart Vulnerable Bees (1-4)
As Brentford were encouraged out of their shell, Liverpool slalomed in to punish their opponent. Room to rotate and costly defensive errors left Thomas Frank’s team in a vulnerable position, but more injuries to Liverpool options could alter the wind that is blowing in their sails.
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.
The league leaders traveling to a bottom-half opponent is usually a foregone conclusion: but Liverpool at Brentford has thrown spanners in the works before.
Liverpool were yet to beat Brentford since their promotion from the Championship, Thomas Frank’s team scored three times in the previous two meetings. The return of Ivan Toney has brought more potency, but it appeared that Brentford had rekindled their old compacted defense in recent games. Combine their remarkable set-piece routines and Brentford recorded a trademark win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
Victory against Burnley recovered Liverpool’s lead at the top but wasn't without its complications. Trent Alexander-Arnold, replaced at halftime, is out for a number of weeks with a recurring knee issue. Their tactical risks, with the right-back often dictating in the center, have seen some loose Liverpool performances throughout the season, but at least their attack has remained at elite levels.
Just a single change was made for Brentford, from that victory over Wolves. Kristoffer Ajer returned to the defense, in place of Ethan Pinnock. Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa were available from the bench, having returned from AFCON.
Conor Bradley replaced Alexander-Arnold at right-back, one of two changes to the Liverpool team. The other was Ibrahima Konaté, who returned from . . .
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