{
  "id": 15165148,
  "title": "Liverpool Starting XI vs Brentford: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/liverpool-starting-xi-vs-brentford-confirmed-team-news-and-predicted",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T09:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/liverpool-starting-xi-vs-brentford-092000210.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool faces Brentford with a familiar issue - squad availability. Three important attackers and midfielders, Isak, Szoboszlai and Gakpo, are still facing late fitness calls ahead of the West London clash. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are all pushing to return, but none has been guaranteed a place yet. This absence matters as Liverpool looked short of creativity in their recent 3-0 defeat against Manchester City. They managed to secure a 6-3 victory in Europe against LASK Linz, but the context is clear - different opponent, different rhythm, and still no sign of the senior names that would usually bolster the starting lineup. Liverpool head coach and manager Andoni Iraola says he is keeping the \"chance open\" regarding their return, but that remains realistic rather than revealing. It is clear that there is no certainty in their availability at this stage. Liverpool faces Brentford with a familiar issue - squad availability. Three attacking and midfield players, Isak, Szoboszlai and Gakpo, are still uncertain about their fitness for the match. Szoboszlai missed the Manchester City game after returning from Hungary with a hamstring issue, while both Isak and Gakpo were forced to return early from international duty due to a thigh and ankle complaint, respectively. Neither was ready for the Anfield defeat and neither made it to the Austria win. If either is fit late, Liverpool's attack would look more credible. Giovanni Leoni will not return to training until the November international break, Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley are out for the longer term, and Ryan Gravenberch is unavailable due to suspension following his red card against City. Midfield and attack options for Iraola include Alexis Mac Allister who should return from being rested in midweek, Trey Nyoni who is likely to continue if Szoboszlai is unavailable, and Bradley Barcola who has impressed on the left. Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha are competing for the right slot, and Florian Wirtz is expected to continue as the central creator despite the criticism around his recent performances. Predicted Liverpool XI vs Brentford: Alisson, Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Trey Nyoni, Victor Munoz, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Lewis Koumas. Unavailable: Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni. Doubts: Isak, Szoboszlai, Gakpo. Suspended: Ryan Gravenberch. The match kicks off at 3pm BST on Saturday, October 17 at the Gtech Community Stadium.",
  "summary": "Liverpool Team News vs Brentford: Isak, Szoboszlai and Gakpo Face Late Fitness CallsLiverpool head to Brentford with a familiar problem, availability. Andoni Iraola has been without three important at...",
  "key_points": [
    "Isak, Szoboszlai, and Gakpo still facing fitness calls",
    "Liverpool lacks creativity due to missing key attackers",
    "Predicted lineup includes Alexis Mac Allister and Trey Nyoni"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}