Jürgen Klopp has confirmed his team for this afternoon's Premier League clash as Liverpool travels to Brentford. The Reds will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the table before the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal are in action this weekend.
News of an injury to Alisson Becker in training has rocked Liverpool this morning. It means Caoimhín Kelleher retains his place in the starting line-up, and he could now get a run in the side with the Carabao Cup final coming next weekend.
In better news Mohamed Salah makes his return to the matchday squad, having recovered from his muscle injury. The Egyptian takes his place on the bench for this afternoon's game, with a return to the starting line-up surely not too far away.
READ MORE: Luis Suárez confirms retirement plan as Liverpool and Arsenal 'want $69m Barcelona transfer'
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard issues emphatic response as Liverpool legend's dire Al Ettifaq run over
There are just two changes made to the side from the 3-1 win over Burnley last weekend. Conor Bradley returns as he replaces the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Ibrahima Konaté is back from suspension as Jarell Quansah drops to the bench.
It means Klopp sticks with the same midfield and front three, with Wataru Endō lining up alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones in the middle, while Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota lead the line.
Confirmed Liverpool team vs Brentford: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endō, Mac Allister, Jones; Jota, Núñez, Díaz.
A win today is paramount for Liverpool. With Manchester City now just two points behind with a game in hand, the Reds can ill afford any more slip-ups between now and the end of the season. Ahead of today's game, two of our Liverpool.com writers had their say on who they would select — take a look at their teams below and see how they stack up against Klopp's selection.
Matt Addison - Joe Gomez starts and Mohamed Salah back
With Alisson out, Caoimhín Kelleher will be in goal and the back four mainly picks itself for me. My feeling is that Gomez deserves to start. Conor Bradley can play midweek against Luton (and come on here, as Andy Robertson is unlikely to last the full 90 minutes).
In midfield, I'm a bit torn. Cody Gakpo is far from at his best in the middle but Klopp tends to like his height in matches like these. Given that I'm no big fan of Wataru Endō and Alexis Mac Allister playing together in the same side, I'm going to play Mac Allister and Curtis Jones as a kind of two, with Gakpo in front. Mohamed Salah can start on the bench. Darwin Núñez is a must.
My starting XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones, Gakpo; Jota, Núñez, Díaz
Predicted scoreline: 3-1 to Liverpool.
One thing to watch:Mohamed Salah to score on his return, whether that is from the start or off the bench.
James Findlater - Conor Bradley returns
All eyes are on Mohamed Salah ahead of today’s game. The Egyptian has been back in training and is up for selection once again, but is he ready to start? Assuming he’s shown no ill effects after his recent injury, it should be a bit of a no-brainer. Salah is still Liverpool’s best forward, and he should go straight back into the side if he’s ready.
Elsewhere, it’s a question of whether Klopp goes with Joe Gomez or Conor Bradley at right-back. For me, as long as he’s ready, Bradley should get the nod — and that’s not a slight on Gomez, it’s just Bradley was outstanding before going on compassionate leave. The rest of the defense picks itself. It’s a bit trickier in midfield, where Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones are a given, but who goes alongside them?
It’s between Wataru Endō and Harvey Elliott for me. I’m going with the former — Liverpool’s defenders will probably need all the help they can get from Brentford’s set-pieces. With Salah back, it’s just a question of who starts alongside him in the front three. Darwin Núñez has to be in there, and I’m going with Luis Díaz on the left, although Diogo Jota runs him very close.
My starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endō, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Núñez, Díaz
Predicted scoreline: 2-1 to Liverpool.
One thing to watch: Mohamed Salah to score on his return to the side.