Can Klopp win tactical battle against giant-killer Frank?

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 12.

Match analysis: Liverpool v Brentford

Over the last 12 months Liverpool have won 14 and drawn three of their 17 Premier League home matches.

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This season they have a perfect record in all competitions at Anfield, winning all of their eight encounters.

Yet you can be sure Thomas Frank’s Brentford will not be fazed by the task at hand. Indeed, they will be relishing the challenge of upsetting the odds this weekend.

Frank almost always moves away from a 4-3-3 to line up in a 5-3-2 formation against the division’s biggest clubs. His "tough game" formula is trusted by his players, and so it should be, as their record is outstanding.

This season Brentford have already beaten Chelsea and drawn with Tottenham Hotspur, and they led 1-0 at Manchester United until the 93rd minute, before a late Scott McTominay double ruined their day.

Since the start of 2022/23 the Bees have taken points off all the traditional "Big Six" teams, including a double against champions Manchester City.

Brentford v "Big Six" since start of 2022/23

Brentford are happy to soak up pressure and play on the break in these types of encounters, as they sacrifice more possession than they usually do.

Their focus is on disrupting the rhythm of their opponents through collective industry, while using their smart game management to stay in matches.

Tellingly, across their last 37 matches in the calendar year the Bees have only lost by more than one goal on two occasions, and they have conceded more than two goals on only one occasion in their last 17 away matches.

It is an exceptionally solid base, and from there Brentford will look to use the pace of forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa to spring attacks and gain territory against Liverpool.

They will chase everything and run the channels whenever Frank’s players go direct from back to front.

The duo will target spaces left by attacking full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas.

Terrific triangular axis

Brentford’s sturdiness owes much to the resilience of centre-backs Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins, along with hardworking midfielder Christian Norgaard sat in front.

Pinnock and Collins are twin pillars at the heart of Brentford's defence. Both have also scored with thumping headers in the past two matches, Pinnock at Chelsea and Collins with the winner against West Ham United last time out.

While Liverpool will not bombard Brentford with aerial balls, any crosses they do put into the box this Sunday will have to be supremely accurate to bypass those two players.

In terms of clearing danger, the duo are among the best in the division for power and positioning.

That partnership is likely to be supplemented at Anfield by the addition of Kristoffer Ajer or Ben Mee in a back three, who will aim to force Liverpool wide when they come forward.

Premier League defenders 2023/24

Norgaard is also an underrated presence in Brentford’s starting XI.

He covers a lot of ground and is magnificent at recovering possession inside the middle third.

Luton Town’s Marvelous Nakamba is the only player to regain the ball on more occasions in that domain this season.

Top possession won in middle third 2023/24

Jurgen Klopp should not experience any tactical curveballs from his opposite number in Sunday’s encounter.

Brentford will let Liverpool have between 60 and 70 per cent of the ball - the Bees averaged 33.5 per cent against Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd - and rely on their nine players behind the ball to show fight and durability.

Wissa and/or Mbeumo always offer a threat on the counter, so if Liverpool commit too many men forward they could be made to pay.

The Reds’ home record is astonishingly good, and they start as overwhelming favourites, but the Bees are consistently awkward opponents who have troubled them in the past.

Brentford will have belief they can make this Liverpool’s toughest home match of the season so far.

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