Brentford v Liverpool: Team news
Andoni Iraola intends to shuffle his line-up again for Liverpool’s trip to Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
The head coach made four changes to his XI for the 6-3 midweek victory over LASK in the Champions League.
With kick-off against the Bees coming under 72 hours later, and a European date versus Villarreal following on Tuesday, the boss sees changes as imperative.
“In this period especially, when we are basically playing every three days – almost less than three days – you need more players,” said Iraola at his pre-match press conference.
“That’s why we changed the team a little bit [on Wednesday]. We will need to change again at the weekend, we will need to change again when we face Villarreal in another three days.
“We need everyone, we will need everyone in one moment or the other. Everyone has to be ready because we will need him probably.”
Iraola has not ruled out the possibility of having Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak or Dominik Szoboszlai to call upon again at Gtech Community Stadium.
The trio were not involved in Austria in midweek, nor for the preceding league defeat by Manchester City, due to injuries picked up on prior international duty.
“We have to wait and see,” he told the media on Thursday.
“I think it’s still very early but the same way I said they are not available for the previous games, I leave the chance open this time, yes.”
Ryan Gravenberch must be replaced as he serves a one-match league suspension for the red card he received against City.
Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo can come back into contention, however, having been ineligible for the Champions League tie at LASK.
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees.
For Brentford, Kevin Schade and Jannik Schuster could be involved despite both going off with injuries during a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa last weekend.
“Jannik and Kev have been on the grass this week and we’ll see what tomorrow brings in terms of how much they can do,” Bees head coach Keith Andrews said on Friday.
“This week we’ve had to navigate through a few issues. Those two are some of those who are making their way back from injury. Overall, we’re in a really good place.”
Former Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has yet to play this season but was in the matchday squad against Villa.
Nathan Collins and Mikkel Damsgaard have also been sidelined.
Andrews said of that trio: “Closer, is the case with all of those players. They’re coming back from different injuries and different lengths of injuries.”
Josh Dasilva, Kaye Furo and Antoni Milambo are Brentford’s other injured players.
Last match
Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford (October 10): Kelleher, Kayode, Diouf, Schuster, Ajer, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Anthony, Lewis-Potter, Schade, Thiago.
LASK 3-6 Liverpool (October 14): Alisson, Frimpong, Araujo, Jacquet, Tsimikas, Nyoni, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Barcola, Koumas.
