It’s matchday at the Gtech Community Stadium, and there is still no club update on whether Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai will be fit to face Brentford at 3pm. Ryan Gravenberch is suspended, while Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are available again.
Andoni Iraola says Rio Ngumoha is “elite at certain things”, and The Times’ Paul Joyce reports that talks over a new five-year contract for the winger are continuing.
Injured trio still in doubt
Nothing has changed overnight. Isak (thigh), Gakpo (ankle) and Szoboszlai (hamstring) have not been ruled out, with Iraola saying on Thursday that he would “leave the chance open this time” after Friday’s training. Gravenberch serves a one-match ban after his sending-off against Manchester City, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees.
Unbeaten Bees sit fourth
Keith Andrews’ Brentford are fourth in the Premier League on 10 points and unbeaten in the league this season, with two wins and four draws. Liverpool lost 3-2 on their last visit to the Gtech, almost exactly a year ago, and Caoimhín Kelleher, sold to Brentford by Liverpool, is in line to face his old club.
Iraola on “elite” Ngumoha
“I think he knows that he is elite at certain things,” Iraola said of the 18-year-old. “If you want to put someone one versus one then Rio is one of the best players you would choose because he is difficult to contain.” He added: “There are areas he has to improve, especially without the ball.”
Ngumoha joined the Academy from Chelsea in September 2024 and became the club’s youngest ever scorer, aged 16 years and 361 days, with a 100th-minute winner at Newcastle on his Premier League debut in August 2025. His current deal, signed while he was still 17, is understood to run until 2028, and Joyce writes that a clear pathway into the first team has always been important to him. He has made seven appearances in all competitions this season without yet scoring, and Joyce’s piece also picks out Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni as the young players determined to follow his lead under Iraola.
Jacquet ready for a “battle”
Jeremy Jacquet, named the club’s Player of the Month on Friday, told the club website: “The manager has already told us that it’s going to be a battle all over the field.” The 21-year-old centre-back has started all six of Liverpool’s league games this season.
Third kit, Brooks, no UK TV
Liverpool wear their black and maroon adidas third kit because of Brentford’s red and white home colours. John Brooks referees the 3pm kick-off, which is not live on UK TV. LFCTV’s Matchday Live starts at 1.45pm with audio commentary.
Transfers
Nothing new from David Ornstein or Paul Joyce overnight, and no fresh original reporting on Alex Scott. Italian reports that Inter, Atalanta and Lazio are monitoring Chiesa for January resurfaced on Friday evening, but they first appeared via Calciomercato.it earlier this month and no talks have opened. There’s no credible ownership, FSG or investment news.
A new transfer speculation tracker has been added to the VIP Members website in the right column. Non-members can find it on the main KopTalk website under the News menu.
Fixtures (UK times)
Saturday 17 October: Brentford v Liverpool, 3pm
Tuesday 20 October: Liverpool v Villarreal, Champions League, 8pm
Sunday 25 October: Liverpool v Brighton, 2pm
Wednesday 28 October: Liverpool v Chelsea, Carabao Cup fourth round, 8pm