Liverpool vs Brentford
Two themes are bound to dominate the build-up to this Premier League encounter – and neither will likely involve a player on the pitch.
That is because, depending on where your focus is, much of the talk will be on a first home game for new Liverpool manager Arne Slot and/or the future of Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
When the whistle blows though, that focus will change as two teams aim to make it two wins out of two and deliver more Premier League 2024 highlights.
Talking Points
Naturally, the hosts will start as firm favourites but Thomas Frank has worked wonders since his arrival at the Bees, to the extent that he was even mentioned in some conversations as a possible new Liverpool manager.
Don’t be surprised then if his team causes a shock or two again, even during a tough start to the campaign – matches against Manchester City and Spurs will quickly follow this one.
Frank has always been admired for a team approach when the collective is greater than the sum of the individual parts and last Sunday’s 2-1 home victory over Crystal Palace was further evidence of that.
Not since a League Cup tie in 1977 had Brentford beaten their London rivals, while you had to go back even further – to September 1963 – for their last league win against Palace in the old Division Three.
Yet Brentford put that record to bed, all the while managing to put aside the absence of their star striker.
He returned to action in January after he was banned for eight months for breaking Football Association (FA) betting rules – including betting against his own team.
He knows now is time for big money move if he is to further his game in what should be his peak years.
As respected writer Henry Winter duly noted this week, Toney would be mad to go to Saudi Arabia now, given the 28-year-old still has England ambitions. And it would be nice if he stayed at Brentford and showed some loyalty to a club and manager who stood by him during his betting ban.
One man whose loyalty is not in question is Egyptian Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool opened their account with a hard fought 2-0 win at newly promoted Ipswich Town, a contest in which Salah, sporting a sharp new haircut, carried on his record of scoring on the opening day to become the top scorer in Premier League opening matches with nine goals.
Albeit a very different player to Toney, he remains Liverpool’s talisman and will again be expected to provide inspiration to break down the Bees.
On the opposite side, Fabio Carvalho, recently sold to Brentford, is being eased into his new surroundings. And given the chance, he will be keen to prove a point after two years on Merseyside where his chances to shine were few.
History
They may only be starting a top-flight football campaign for the fourth time in the past three quarters of a century, but they have shaken the Merseysiders up on more than one occasion.
Not least in January last year when the Bees ran out worthy winners against their exalted but often abject opponents on what evolved into a very special night in West London.
On that occasion, Ibahima Konate had a torrid time as he scored an own goal before being shoved off the ball for Bryan Mbeumo’s decisive third goal.
Yoane Wissa netted the other with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replying for the Reds.
The Merseysiders have won the subsequent three league meetings, including a comfortable double last term.
In this fixture, a routine 3-0 home win was secured thanks to goals from Salah (two) and Diogo Jota.
Salah was amongst the scorers again in their 4-1 win in February when Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gapko joined him on the scoresheet. Toney notched the Bees’ consolation.
Overall, Liverpool have 13 wins with four Brentford victories and a further four draws.
The only time Brentford have won at Anfield was in 1937 when they recorded a 4-3 success.
Betting Tip
A resounding home win is predicted with the SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds. So much so that you can get odds on the hosts 1X2 @ 1.24 and Asian Handicap -2.00 @ 2.11.
That is in stark contrast to Brentford who are available, both 1X2 @ 7.90 and Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.33.
The draw is on offer at an attractive @ 5.90 with a re-run of last season’s game, Correct Score 3-0, earning you a payday of @ 9.20.
There have been very few low scoring encounters involving these sides since Brentford were promoted in 2021 and goals aplenty are expected this time too, given odds include Over 4.00 @ 2.28, Total Goal 0-1 @ 6.20, 2-3 @ 2.44, and 4-6 @ 2.05.
I really cannot see beyond a home win.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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