Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Brentford as £35m man comes back in and Arne Slot makes big midfield decision

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Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Sunday as they look to continue their good start to the season.

On home turf for the first time in competitive action under Arne Slot, they’ll be hoping for three points against Thomas Frank’s Brentford. Here’s how we think the Reds will line up.

Defence

Slot could make a new addition in goal by the time Sunday’s game kicks off. Liverpool are close to signing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.

However, there’s no danger of a change between the sticks in this one, Alisson Becker will go again.

In front of Alisson we expect to see Trent Alexander-Arnold begin at right-back following his 77-minute display at Ipswich. The Scouser will likely go for a little longer at Anfield.

A first change will likely come for Slot at centre-back. The head coach revealed on Friday that Jarell Quansah is struggling with injury.

As a result, Ibrahima Konate is set to come back into the side, the £35m man will partner captain Virgil van Dijk.

With rumours that Kostas Tsimikas could leave next week, it would be a surprise not to see Andy Robertson at left-back.

Midfield

Liverpool’s midfield worked well last weekend, with a new-look trio doing the business against Ipswich.

Things weren’t perfect, though, and Slot has options if he wants to try Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo. However, we think the Dutch coach will make the big decision to go unchanged.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp delivers verdict on Arne Slot playing Ryan Gravenberch in defensive midfield

That means that Ryan Gravenberch will continue in his new role in a two-man screen alongside Alexis Mac Allister.

Ahead of those two we’d expect to see Dominik Szoboszlai go again in his more advance midfield role.

Attack

With all of Liverpool’s players now having a further full week in training, they should all now be properly up to speed after the summer.

That could mean that Slot tries out one or two different things in attack, where he does have options.

However, just like with the midfield, we think that the boss will go with the same three that started against Ipswich. There isn’t really a need to change things.

That will see Mohamed Salah start from the right, Luis Diaz from the left and Diogo Jota through the middle. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo will likely be introduced at some point.

Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Brentford: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz