Brentford vs Liverpool simulated to predict must-win Premier League clash
After dropping points against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool's clash with Brentford seems a must-win game as the Reds look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Diogo Jota cancelled out Chris Wood's first-half strike as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest midweek, leaving the Reds four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Arsenal's 2-1 win over Tottenham. Arne Slot's side still has a game in hand on their title rivals, but three points against Brentford seem necessary if they want to avoid the gap at the top from getting any tighter.
Liverpool have won their last four games in a row against Brentford, with goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah securing a 2-0 win earlier this season. But, the clash later today is expected to be much tougher, with the Bees having the joint-second-best home record in the Premier League so far this season.
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Slot has confirmed that Jota is a doubt for the clash in west London, while Luis Diaz should be fit, despite missing training this week. So, can Liverpool pick up three points against Brentford later today? Let's take a look...
Brentford vs Liverpool score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that the Bees could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Jensen, Janelt; Mbeumo, Wissa, Damsgaard.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.
Brentford were the brighter team in the opening stages of the game with the hosts causing trouble down either wing, but they rarely threatened the Liverpool goal. After a period of sustained pressure, they almost went ahead when Bryan Mbeumo's cross into the box was met acrobatically by Yoanne Wissa, but Alisson was alert to tip the effort over the bar.
There was a lack of fluidity in the Liverpool attack as they managed just four shots in the first half, but the Reds were much better after the restart, with Salah hitting the post twice as Slot's side looked for the opener. As the game went on, the situation got much more tense, but in the 81st minute, that pressure was relieved as Darwin Nunez fired Liverpool ahead.
Substitute Diaz danced his way past two challenges on the left before breaking into the box, and he managed to get the ball out of his feet to find Salah in a great position. As the Egyptian was swarmed by defenders, he quickly offloaded the ball to Nunez, and a powerful strike took the ball past the 'keeper to put the Reds into the lead.
The Bees threw all they had at Slot's side in the closing stages of the game as they looked for an equaliser, but some brilliant defending from Virgil van Dijk saw the Dutchman make a last-ditch challenge to deny ex-red Sepp van den Berg from close range in the 94th minute, securing the win and a clean sheet for Liverpool.
