Liverpool vs Brentford LIVE: Latest Premier League team news and line-ups as Konate starts for Slot

So a first home game in charge for Arne Slot today, but how did Jurgen Klopp transform the club into Premier League winners? Liverpool’s former head of data, Ian Graham, has written a book about his time at Anfield, with plenty of fascinating titbits:

Brentford having scored at Anfield on their last five visits to Merseyside. You do think there may be opportunities to get at this Liverpool side today, though, with the hosts very much still adjusting to life under Arne Slot. Ipswich had a handful of early chances last week and both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa looked buzzy and bright against Crystal Palace.

We’ll see exactly how Brentford line up at kick off, but Thomas Frank used a five-at-the-back formation at Anfield last November, and has the versatility within his side today to shift into that shape if required. That might mean Keane Lewis-Potter at wing-back rather than up in the front three.

Curtis Jones might hope to contend for a pace in that Liverpool midfield at some point this season, but is absent today with what the club describe as a “minor issue”.

An unchanged Liverpool midfield should see Ryan Gravenberch once more operate from slightly deeper. The Dutchman showed encouraging signs in that position a week ago and could be a key figure to Liverpool’s evolution, as Karl Matchett explained:

There is, as expected, no Ivan Toney in the Brentford squad as negotiations continue over a possible move away from the club.

And there’s a single switch from Thomas Frank, too – the Brentford boss throws Keane Lewis-Potter into his starting line-up. New recruit Sepp van den Berg, signed from Liverpool this week, makes the bench.

Brentford XI: Flekken; Roeslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Wissa, Lewis-Potter.

A single change for Liverpool as Ibrahima Konate comes in to the central defensive two after his half-time introduction last weekend.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz.

Will it be two settled sides after opening weekend wins, or will either manager throw a selection curveball? The team news from Anfield is imminent…

Miguel Delaney,The Independent’s chief football writer, reported earlier this week that Brentford are holding firm on a high price for their striker, limiting the list of potential destinations.