Brentford vs Liverpool Preview: Bees Aim to Extend Unbeaten Run

Brentford have already beaten Tottenham and Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium this season, with Liverpool the next to test for Keith Andrews’ unbeaten side when they visit West London on Saturday.

The Bees have collected 10 points from their opening six Premier League matches, with last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa keeping them five places above Liverpool in the table. Kristoffer Ajer rescued a point at Villa Park, but Andrews will be frustrated that his side have drawn four league games despite their encouraging start.

Liverpool arrive in rather different circumstances. Andoni Iraola’s side have managed just two league victories, and their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday was a reminder of the work still required under the Spaniard.

Wednesday’s 6-3 Champions League victory over LASK offered a response, particularly from Bradley Barcola, who scored a hat-trick in Austria. Liverpool were five goals ahead before allowing the hosts back into the contest, however, and Brentford will have had a full week to prepare while their visitors have faced two matches in four days.

The Bees also won this fixture last season, beating Liverpool 3-2 at the Gtech before drawing 1-1 at Anfield in May.

Andrews faces a couple of important decisions following the draw at Villa Park, particularly in defence.

Jannik Schuster was withdrawn at half-time after aggravating an ankle problem, with Aaron Hickey moving into central defence alongside Ajer. Kevin Schade also suffered a shoulder injury, leaving both players facing fitness assessments ahead of Saturday.

Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg had been working their way back towards full fitness before the Villa game. Their could give Andrews the availability he needs at centre-back in if Schuster is absent. 

Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard and Dango Ouattara were also among the players managing fitness concerns ahead of the previous fixture. Jensen and Ouattara both made second half appearances against Villa as they return to full fitness.

Antoni Milambo, Josh Dasilva and Kaye Furo remain the longer-term concerns.

Ajer’s performance against Villa will have given Andrews encouragement regardless of who returns. The Norwegian scored Brentford’s equaliser after another demanding afternoon in defence, while Yehor Yarmoliuk also opened his Premier League account during the draw.

Liverpool’s six-goals against LASK was their best attacking display of the season, with Barcola finally finding the net after a difficult start following his summer arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.

Iraola made changes for the European trip, resting Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister from the starting line-up, but Liverpool still conceded three times after establishing a commanding lead.

Ryan Gravenberch is suspended for Saturday’s game following his dismissal against Manchester City. His absence now leaving Iraola with a decision in midfield, particularly with Dominik Szoboszlai also having been fitness concerns, missing Liverpool’s match against LASK, with Iraola mentioning after the lost to City that it would be hard for him to recover due to the volume of fixtures in a short period of time.

Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo missed the City defeat through injury, and their availability remains uncertain. Hugo Ekitike has also been sidelined, leaving Liverpool short of established options through the middle.

Lewis Koumas impressed during Wednesday’s victory, but Iraola may be reluctant to place too much responsibility on the youngster against a Brentford side that have been difficult to break down.

Liverpool’s approach under Iraola is built around pressing high and attacking quickly, but their Premier League performances have not yet matched the attacking promise shown against LASK.

They have been getting shots away in the Premier League, although the quality of their opportunities has been less convincing. Iraola's side have registered 89 attempts in their opening six matches but created just nine big chances, the fewest in the division.

Brentford have been effective at making opponents shoot from difficult positions. They concede an average of 14.5 attempts per game, but those shots carry an average expected goals value of just 0.11.

Andrews will not necessarily be concerned if the visitors enjoy spells of possession or take shots from distance, provided Brentford can keep them away from the more dangerous areas.

There should also be opportunities when Liverpool push forward. The absence of Gravenberch removes an important presence from midfield, while Brentford have enough pace to attack the space left behind Iraola’s pressing players.

Caoimhín Kelleher will face his former club, and the goalkeeper’s distribution could be particularly important if Liverpool attempt to press Brentford into mistakes.

Brentford face Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm BST.

The match will not be televised live in the United Kingdom because it falls within the Saturday 3pm broadcasting blackout.

Supporters in the United States can watch live on Peacock, with kick-off at 10am ET, 9am CT, 8am MT and 7am PT.

Fans in Canada can follow Premier League coverage through Fubo, while Australian viewers can watch on Stan Sport.

Liverpool’s midweek victory showed what their attack is capable of, but Brentford have good reason to feel confident at home. Andrews’ side have been organised defensively, and Liverpool’s quick turnaround may become a factor if the game remains close.

The Bees have drawn more matches than they would have wanted, although another point against Liverpool would extend their unbeaten start.

Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Liverpool