Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai have both been named in Liverpool’s starting line-up for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Brentford, handing Andoni Iraola a timely double fitness boost.
The pair had been doubts throughout the week after injuries sustained on international duty forced them to miss the defeat to Manchester City and Wednesday’s 6-3 Champions League victory over LASK.
Cody Gakpo, who was also facing a late fitness test, returns to the matchday squad but starts on the bench.
Iraola makes six changes from the midweek win in Austria as Liverpool look to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk returns to captain the Reds for the 200th time. According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, the milestone moves the Dutchman into eighth place on Liverpool’s all-time list of captains by appearances.
Ryan Gravenberch misses out through suspension following his sending-off against City, while Wataru Endo returns to the substitutes’ bench after being unavailable for the Champions League fixture.
Youngsters Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha are also among the substitutes, although Federico Chiesa is not included despite being available for selection.
Liverpool face a Brentford side who begin the afternoon unbeaten in the Premier League and sitting fourth in the table, one point ahead of the Reds.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola, Isak.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha.
Kick-off at the Gtech Community Stadium is at 3pm UK time. The match will not be televised live in the UK, although LFCTV will provide live audio commentary.
