Liverpool vs Brentford – News and Probable Lineups

Liverpool is aware that securing a position in the Premier League’s top five is guaranteed if they manage to avoid a defeat at Anfield against European contenders Brentford this Sunday in the season’s final fixture.

Arne Slot’s team currently sits in fifth with 59 points and could still clinch Champions League football even with a loss, as they hold a three-point advantage over sixth-placed Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Brentford, positioned ninth, has 52 points and could secure a Europa League spot.

Match overview

Liverpool’s dismal season will wrap up this Sunday, and even a victory would result in their worst points tally in a decade.

Slot was anticipated to contend for the title after bolstering his squad with £450m in signings, yet a loss to Brentford would mark their third defeat in four outings and their fourth game in succession without a win.

The Merseysiders experienced a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa on May 15, representing their fifth consecutive match without securing a clean sheet. The Villa match also marked the eighth goal conceded by the Reds in their last three league encounters.

However, Liverpool has shown to be slightly more resilient at Anfield, but suggesting their two wins and three draws in the last five home fixtures equate to particularly strong form would be misleading.

It’s worth noting that the Reds have only managed to net one goal in four of their seven home games against teams currently in the top nine, and they’ve scored one or fewer times in five of their past nine at Anfield.

In their previous encounter against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in October 2025, Liverpool conceded three goals in a 3-2 defeat, although they had taken the victory in the prior five meetings with the Bees.

Brentford’s match on Sunday will hold significance for their European aspirations as they are level on points with Chelsea, who occupy the eighth position for the Conference League, and just two points off Brighton & Hove Albion, who are seventh in the Europa League.

Tracking all the potential scenarios on the final day could be complex; however, if the Bees are unable to surpass Chelsea’s goal difference of seven – which is four more than theirs – Keith Andrews may look back at their recent performance with some regret.

While the London club has faced only two defeats in their last nine Premier League games leading up to Anfield, they have only secured all three points on a single occasion in that timeframe.

Brentford’s performance away from home has been worrisome, remaining winless on their past four away trips, and a loss at Merseyside would extend their road losing streak to three matches.

Andrews’s side has also failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four away meetings, conceding at least twice in seven of their last eleven top-flight matches.

Team News

There has been some speculation regarding whether Slot will choose to include Mohamed Salah in the starting lineup after the Egyptian seemingly criticized the head coach in a social media post.

With the winger set to depart at the end of the season, leaving the 33-year-old out would likely ruin the rapport between him and the Anfield supporters.

Andrew Robertson is also expected to make his farewell appearance, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker might also likely get the chance to play what could be his final game for the club.

As for Brentford, they are expected to field their strongest XI, which will surely include former Red Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.

Sepp van den Berg is also on track to feature against his previous squad, while a return for Jordânia Henderson should not be discounted.

The Bees will possess numerous attacking options, although they could pose the biggest threat if striker Igor Thiago partners with Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade.

Liverpool probable starting XI

Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo

Brentford probable starting XI

Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmoliuk, Henderson; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

It would be appropriate for Salah and Robertson to conclude their careers at Anfield positively, with the former especially eager to score one last time for the Merseysiders.

Despite Liverpool retaining vulnerabilities that Brentford may capitalize on, the home supporters will do their utmost to rally the Reds towards a bittersweet victory.

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