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Brentford vs. Liverpool match preview: The Bees will play first away fixture at Anfield against a new-look Liverpool

Brentford will play their first away fixture of the Premier League season at Anfield against Liverpool on Sunday.

The main topic of interest that surrounds The Bees’ is whether Ivan Toney will be selected for the squad.

Toney’s potential departure from Brentford has dominated the headlines within the last week. The saga surrounding his future has carried on and could face a resolution in the next week.

The forward was left out of the squad in Brentford’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace after Brentford manager Thomas Frank confirmed his availability in the lead-up to the match.

“There’s a lot of things going on with Ivan, especially with transfers,” Frank said. “There’s a lot of transfer interest and because of that we decided he would not be in the squad.”

In regard to Toney’s status for the upcoming match, Frank is more hesitant to label his availability.

“Who knows?” Frank said. “Let’s see Sunday. Ivan trained all week with a good attitude in every aspect. He could be involved, or he could not be involved.”

A player that will be included in the squad for the match tomorrow is Sepp van den Berg. The 22-year-old center back completed a permanent transfer to the club from Liverpool for £20 million. He could possibly receive a new chance to play against his previous club in his potential Premier League debut.

“I think he is a great player,” Frank said. “We are growing. We are very happy he wants to join the ride and the journey. It’s possible he will be involved [on Sunday].”

Frank has spoken about his desire to play with a high line this season. Sepp van den Berg’s qualities and statistics across his appearances during his club career seem to create a good fit for Frank’s squad. 

At 6’3, Sepp van den Berg has a commanding presence. During the 2023/24 season, van den Berg played for FC Mainz 05, a club in the Bundesliga, the top flight of German football. He recorded the second most aerial duels won, 185, and the most blocks in the league. Frank is impressed with his defensive qualities and his composure while in possession of the ball.

“He ticks a lot of boxes for what we are searching for our center-backs,” Frank said. “He has great pace. He does great to read the game. He is composed on the ball, but also in decisive defensive actions. His ability in the air is good as well. I see a great future for him.”

Another player who could potentially feature against their former club Liverpool, is Fabio Carvalho.

The signing of Sepp van den Berg marked the second player Brentford has signed from Liverpool this summer. Carvalho made his debut for the club against Crystal Palace. 

Frank has been impressed with progress since joining the club.

“He is definitely in the squad,” Frank said. “I am very excited that we have been able to sign him. He’s taking steps in the right direction. He played a great game behind closed doors Tuesday and he’s looking better and better.”

Carvalho and Brentford will face a new-look Liverpool team with a new manager, Arne Slot. Slot featured his most prominent players in Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Ipswich Town. Mohamed Salah turned provider with an assist and goal scorer in the match to help lift Liverpool to victory.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz played a crucial role in the victory and Frank believes their front three provides a crucial threat.

“We know Liverpool have a lot of threats,” Frank said. “I think Jota, Nunez, Diaz, and Gakpo are really good players.”

Playing away at Anfield is a difficult task and there could be extended periods throughout the match where Brentford don’t see much of the ball.

In the first match of the season against Crystal Palace, Brentford finished the match with less possession than Palace. Brentford won 56% of the duels throughout the match. Brentford winning 50/50 duels may be extremely important in a tightly contested match.

“It’s going to be crucial,” Frank told the Sports Gazette. “It’s going to be a really tough game against a great team. We need to be good on the ball, be good in defending, be good in the duels, and a big thing will be transitions both ways. Liverpool is maybe the best transition team in the world.”

Author

  • Jaden Dakwa

    I am a sports journalist and I have been writing about football since 2021. Sports, in general, have been a passion of mine since a young age. The Gunners in North London are definitely my favorite team, but I have overwhelming love for the sport of football as a whole. In that aspect of my life, not much has changed.

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