Liverpool vs Brentford: prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 24.05.2026
One of the matches of the 38th round of the English Premier League will take place this Sunday at Anfield, where the local side Liverpool will host Brentford. Here’s my prediction for this clash: the hosts have all but secured their Champions League spot, but their defensive woes still give the visitors a shot at taking something in their own battle for European qualification.
Match preview
Liverpool head into the final round in a strange state: in terms of the table, they’ve virtually booked their Champions League place, but on the pitch, there are plenty of question marks as the season winds down. They haven’t won since April 25, and their recent games — a 2-3 loss to Manchester United, a 2-4 defeat to Aston Villa, and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea — have underlined how Arne Slot’s side too easily lose control after defensive lapses.
However, the return of Alisson and Alexander Isak is a crucial stabilizing factor for the Reds. Florian Wirtz is ready to start, Andrew Robertson will play his final game for the club, and the Mohamed Salah saga adds an emotional twist: the Egyptian is fit again, but whether he starts after his sharp interview about the coach remains an open question.
Brentford still have a shot at Europe, but the Bees need a win at Anfield and some help from rivals. Keith Andrews’ side sit ninth, but have managed just one win in their last nine Premier League outings, and last time out they barely scraped a draw against Crystal Palace — 2-2 with a goal in the 88th minute.
The visitors’ main hope is Igor Thiago, who’s already netted 22 league goals and is single-handedly keeping their attack afloat. But Brentford’s away form is a concern: ten defeats in 18 road games this season, and they haven’t won away at Liverpool since 1937.
Probable lineups
- Liverpool: Becker, Robertson, van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Gravenberch, Jones, Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah, Isak.
- Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Henderson, Janelt, Ouattara, Jensen, Damsgaard, Thiago.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Liverpool have won four of their last six matches against Brentford.
- Brentford haven’t won at Anfield since 1937 and have lost their last nine away trips to the Reds.
- In the first half of this season, Brentford beat Liverpool 3-2, but they have never managed back-to-back victories over the Merseysiders.
Prediction
Liverpool are far from their best: 52 goals conceded this season and a vulnerability at set pieces is a real warning sign before facing a team that thrives on long throw-ins and physical battles. But at Anfield, the Reds should have enough attacking quality, especially with Isak and Wirtz back in the fold. Brentford are arguably more motivated, but their away form and historically tough trips to Liverpool make a full-blown upset unlikely. The visitors can get on the scoresheet through Thiago and set pieces, but the hosts’ attacking class should prove decisive.
