Slot to ‘drop terrible Diaz’, two changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Brentford
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is expected to make two changes to his starting line-up when his side travel to Brentford on Saturday.
The Reds dropped points for the fourth time in seven Premier League matches in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, which allowed Arsenal to reduce the gap at the top of the table to four points.
As a result of their performances against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz are predicted to be dropped for the London clash on 18 December.
Joe Gomez is expected to miss the contest with the hamstring injury that he suffered in the 5-0 victory against West Ham (29 December).
Liverpool to make two changes
Alisson Becker is expected to keep his spot between the sticks, he recorded an 87 per cent pass accuracy and made two saves and seven recoveries at the City Ground. [Fotmob]
Trent Alexander-Arnold will continue at right-back despite a shaky performance against Forest in which he recorded an 86 per cent pass accuracy, made 24 passes into the final third but was accurate with just two of his nine cross attempts.
Ibrahima Konate is set to continue alongside him, he made three recoveries, two clearances and won two of four aerial duels for a 50 per cent success rate.
Virgil van Dijk is expected to captain the side in London, he completed the most passes in the contest with 67, made seven clearances, and three recoveries and won all five aerial duels that he contested.
Robertson is predicted to be dropped for Kostas Tsimikas after a miserable performance, the Scottish international completed 85 per cent of his passes, made just three passes into the final third and was accurate with just 25 per cent of his eight crosses.
The Greek international assisted the equaliser just 22 seconds after coming on and recorded an 89 per cent pass accuracy but also was only accurate with 25 per cent of his crosses, however, he looked more solid than the Scot when he came off the bench.
Ryan Gravenberch looks set to continue at the base of midfield, he recorded a 78 per cent pass accuracy, made five passes into the final third, made eight clearances, and six recoveries and won both duels that he contested.
Alexis Mac Allister is predicted to feature next to the Dutchman, against Forest he recorded an 86 per cent pass accuracy, created two chances, and made seven passes into the final third while winning three of four tackles for a 75 per cent success rate and six of 11 overall duels, for a 54 per cent success rate.
Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to continue in an advanced role, he recorded an 85 per cent pass accuracy in the clash, created three chances, made eight passes into the final third and had six touches in the opposition box while making eight recoveries.
One change in attack
Mohamed Salah had a rare off-night against Forest but still created the most chances in the contest with four, he recorded a 76 per cent pass accuracy and was successful with zero per cent of four dribble attempts but he did have five shots with two on-target.
Cody Gakpo might keep his place on the left-hand side, he recorded an 88 per cent pass accuracy, created four chances, had three shots with one on target which forced an excellent save from Sels, had eight touches in the box and made five recoveries.
Diaz is predicted to be dropped, he did create two chances and took two touches in the opposition box but failed to record a shot on target against Forest and his night was summed up by a moment when Gakpo was through on goal but he waited too long to play the ball and was branded as “terrible” by Paul Merson.
Diogo Jota is expected to replace the Colombian, he scored the equaliser just 22 seconds after replacing Diaz and had the most shots on target than any of his teammates with three and had seven touches in the opposition box in a 24-minute cameo.
The Reds will be looking to get back to winning ways and put pressure on Arsenal by increasing the margin back to seven points before they face Aston Villa in the late kick-off.
If they manage to do that, they will be a lot more comfortable in the title race after recent results weakened their commanding lead.
In other Liverpool news, a former Premier League referee has given his verdict on a controversial incident in the Forest draw.
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