On Monday night, Liverpool’s first game of 2023 against Brentford is scheduled, and Jurgen Klopp is expected to make at least one change to his starting eleven.
The Reds barely beat Leicester 2-1 at home in their 2022 closer, but they now have two more injury worries to add to their list.
It doesn’t help matters that Thomas Frank’s team, coming off a 2-0 victory at West Ham and a run of five straight victories, will go to mid-table Brentford on Monday.
West London might witness the addition of a new face in Klopp’s lineup, but Cody Gakpo’s eligibility is still up in the air as Liverpool waits for approval of their £44 million transfer.
Klopp could include a new face in his squad in west London, though it still remains to be seen whether Cody Gakpo will be eligible as Liverpool await clearance following his £44 million move from PSV Eindhoven.
But with four consecutive Premier League victories, the Reds should head to Brentford confident of making it five in a row.
Team news
Following the 2-1 victory over Leicester, we know the following:
Fabinho should be able to return following his son’s birth
Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott doubts after picking up knocks
Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Curtis Jones closing in on returns
Arthur is still not ready, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota also out
Liverpool await a final decision over whether Gakpo can feature
 Liverpool’s XI vs. Brentford
Liverpool was given a somewhat lenient schedule over the holiday season, with three days between games this time.
That ought to have given the majority of Klopp’s team from the victory against Leicester time to rest up and be ready for another intense match.
The likelihood that Fabinho will start despite having to leave the game at Anfield due to a dead leg is also greatly encouraged.
Ibrahima Konate to replace Joel Matip in otherwise unchanged defence
Fabinho in for Elliott, next to Jordan Henderson and Thiago
Fabio Carvalho an option to start over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on left.
With those adjustments from Friday’s victory, Liverpool would start as follows:
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Carvalho, and Nunez are just a few of the players.
It is safe to argue that, going into this match, Klopp’s biggest weakness on the left wing is Robertson’s fitness as well as the potential effect of both Carvalho and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Even without Gakpo, the team has solutions, and Firmino’s potential return to the fold is an important development.
Klopp could also consider a change in midfield following Henderson’s shaky showing against Leicester, with the option of a first start of the season for Naby Keita:
Kostas Tsimikas available at left-back if Robertson misses out
Keita to replace Henderson and join Fabinho and Thiago
Firmino to start up front as Darwin Nunez shifts to left wing
Those changes would see this Liverpool XI:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Firmino
Even if Gakpo is eligible, the Dutchman is unlikely to play a significant role against Brentford due to a lack of training time following the World Cup. A more likely introduction would be the FA Cup match against Wolves.
However, despite additional injuries endangering his team, Klopp may have more alternatives starting on Monday, and it will undoubtedly include a solid Liverpool lineup.