Brentford v Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Jurgen Klopp’s men go five points clear
Brentford 1-4 Liverpool: Mo Salah returned with a goal and assist as Liverpool breezed past Brentford
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a clinical and professional display against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp’s men took advantage in the early stages, controlling possession and feeding passes into their in-form strikers Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. They found it difficult to break down the Bees’ solid defence though and needed a slick counter-attack to score the opening goal – Jota nodding the ball to Nunez who finished with a superb chip.
Jota then took a heavy tackle and needing to be subbed off, adding to Liverpool’s injury woes, but his replacement was Liverpool’s returning hero Mohamed Salah. He set up Alexis Mac Allister for the second goal before a strong solo effort earned him the third.
Ivan Toney scored a consolation, but Cody Gakpo secured the points with Liverpool’s fourth goal five minutes from time. With Arsenal and Manchester City still to play, Liverpool have set the benchmark for the weekend.
Relive the action with our live blog below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Liverpool are aiming for a third consecutive win over Brentford. The home side has never lost this fixture in the Premier League, with the Bees winning 3-1 last season.
The Reds have both scored and conceded in all seven of their away league games against Brentford.
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Thomas Frank makes one change from the side which won 2-0 at Wolves as Kristoffer Ajer comes into defence in place of Ethan Pinnock.
Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa are both named on the bench having returned to Brentford following the conclusion of Afcon.
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, makes two changes from the side which beat Burnley 3-1 at Anfield last time out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out through injury and is replaced at right-back by Conor Bradley while Ibrahima Konate is back after a one-match suspension and is preferred to Jarell Quansah at the heart of defence.
Mo Salah starts on the bench.
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Brentford XI: Flekken; Mee, Ajer, Collins, Norgaard, Jensen, Reguilon, Janelt, Roerslev, Maupay, Toney
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Jones, Diaz, Nunez, Jota
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Mohamed Salah’s return should boost Liverpool even further as the Reds have been in brilliant form during his absence. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury means there is a big gap to fill in the defence and Brentford should have the ability to target it.
In Ivan Toney they have a proven goalscorer but Jurgen Klopp’s men should have the desire and quality to edge this game and keep their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Brentford 1-2 Liverpool.
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
As we wait for the official line-ups to drop here’s what we know about the squad news:
Yoanne Wissa and Frank Onyeka could be back in the fold for Brentford after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations, while the injury suffered by Mathias Jensen against Wolves is not thought to have been serious.
While Mohamed Salah would appear to be fit and available for selection, Jurgen Klopp is likely to be cautious with his forward on his return, perhaps utilising him from the bench.
Alisson and Joe Gomez were also able to train earlier this week, and Ibrahima Konate is back from suspension, but Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai remain sidelined.
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Brentford vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 12.30pm GMT on Saturday 17 February at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 11am GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
The Reds do not have a great record here so far - they’ve had two visits to the Brentford Community Stadium since the Bees’ promotion and have only managed a 3-3 draw and, last term, a defeat.
Brentford’s home form this term reads four wins, three draws and five defeats, so it’s not quite as formidable as they have made it in the past.
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Mohamed Salah is poised to make his Liverpool comeback against Brentford on Saturday while Jurgen Klopp feels that Dominik Szoboszlai could have a chance of being fit for the Carabao Cup final.
The Liverpool top scorer has been out for five weeks since suffering a hamstring injury playing for Egypt in the African Cup of Nations and has not played for his club since scoring against Newcastle on New Year’s Day.
But Salah is available to figure this weekend while Liverpool can also welcome back Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Alisson Becker, who all missed the win over Burnley through either illness, suspension or compassionate leave.
Klopp confirms Salah and quartet set for Liverpool return
The Egyptian is due to return after injury, while Klopp will welcome back four others for the test against Brentford
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has rejected suggestions he has rushed back players in recent weeks after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai all aggravated injuries early in their returns.
Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final later this month because a knee problem recurred in last week’s win over Burnley, Thiago’s comeback after nine months lasted just 10 minutes, while Szoboszlai played just over an hour over two matches before succumbing to the hamstring problem which forced him to miss most of January.
Mohamed Salah returned to training this week after a month out with a hamstring problem sustained on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt but Klopp is confident he is ready to play again.
Jurgen Klopp denies speculation over cause for Liverpool injuries
Mohamed Salah could make his own comeback this weekend
Brentford vs Liverpool - LIVE
Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham are still a “long way” from playing the football he wants after he fended off talk he could leave at the end of the season to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Klopp announced last month he would depart Anfield at the conclusion of the campaign following nine years at the club.
Liverpool have reportedly placed Postecoglou on a shortlist of candidates to replace Klopp, with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso seemingly at the top of the pile, but the Spurs boss insists his focus is on finishing this season strongly.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou responds to Liverpool rumours
Postecoglou has reportedly been placed on a shortlist of candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments