LIVERPOOL VS. BRENTFORD
| Sunday, May 24th |
Premier League | Anfield
4:00PM BST/11:o0AM EST
Well, we’re here. Here we are. We have collectively sat and watched 37 Liverpool league games, and this is the 38th. I wish I could say something more profound than that, but this season has sapped all of my creativity — much like the team I’m watching, come to think of it.
OK, but seriously. Barring something catastrophic happening on Sunday, the Reds have secured Champions League football for next season by the skin of their teeth.
If they win and Aston Villa lose against Manchester City, then they can even jump into the top four.
More importantly, this game is a fond farewell to two iconic Liverpool players: Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson.
I have gone on record, and maintain today, that stealing Robertson from Hull City for only an initial £8 million is the best, most advantageous transfer move made in the Jürgen Klopp era. For almost a decade he, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, not only solved Liverpool’s persistent problem on the wings, but made that an area of strength for the team. One that opponents feared and scrambled to try to counteract. He also just seems like a funny, affable guy who brings positive energy to the team.
And of course, there are no words to describe what Salah has meant to the team and the city and Liverpool and Egypt fans around the world.
The summer will be a big one as the team restructures and tries to find a new identity and pick up the pieces of a failed title challenge.
That’s the backdrop to which Liverpool step out onto the Anfield pitch for the last time this season.
Their opponents are Brentford, nestled safely midtable and are playing to earn a place in the Europa League for next season. Along with farewells, this game will also have some reunions, as former captain Jordan Henderson, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Sepp Van den Berg are all expected to start for Brentford.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Let’s be hopeful and say that Alisson can start in what may also be his last game with the team. Robertson will definitely start. If Salah doesn’t due to the not-so-veiled remarks he made about Slot via social media last week, then there might actually be a riot, so let’s say he starts.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “We arWhat is important is that we qualify for the Champions League [on] Sunday and I prepare Mo and all of the rest in the best possible way and the whole team to be ready for the game on Sunday. That is what matters. I was very disappointed after our loss against [Aston] Villa because a win would have given us qualification for the Champions League. And now there’s one game to go, which is a vital one for us as a club.”
Keith Andrews: “We just want to approach it like we do most games; we’ll have our game plan, what we do with and without the ball, and try to hurt them in areas we feel we can. But, equally, we’re aware of the strengths that they have.”
The Officials
Referee: Darren England. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Tom Kirk. VAR: Tony Harrington. Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes.
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