Liverpool should have really got their top-five spot wrapped up already, but they have failed to win any of their last three matches.

It is worth noting that they were all tough matchups, though, against Man United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa - this upcoming clash against Brentford looks like the easiest matchup on paper, especially considering how the Bees have fared at Anfield over the years.

Liverpool have won each of the last six consecutive matches against Brentford on Merseyside, which bodes well for this selection. They were utterly dominant in this fixture last season, and it finished 2-0. That scoreline flattered the visitors, as Liverpool racked up 2.65 xG from their 19 shots.

The Reds also accrued nine corners - if not for Mark Flekken’s six saves, the scoreline really could have gotten out of hand.

Brentford have failed to win any of their last four away matches across all competitions, and they were beaten 3-0 by Man City last time out.

Liverpool will be pushing hard this weekend not only to book their spot in the Champions League next season, but also to conclude the campaign at Anfield on a high. It hasn’t been an easy campaign for the Reds, but they will at least want to finish strong. 

Liverpool’s performances at home have been much more convincing this season compared to when they play away, and they have scored 33 goals in their 18 league games at Anfield. However, they haven’t looked particularly watertight at the back, especially in recent weeks.

Arne Slot’s men were beaten 4-2 by Aston Villa last time out, meaning over 2.5 goals has landed in four of their last five matches.

Igor Thiago has been one of the Premier League's standout performers this season, and he currently sits on 22 league goals - just five behind Erling Haaland.

The 24-year-old is averaging 2.31 shots per 90 in the league this season, which isn’t particularly high, but Thiago tends to be efficient when chances fall to him. In fact, 52% of those efforts have hit the target, and his conversion rate of 27% is one of the highest in the league. 

Thiago has every reason to be looking forward to this matchup, given how Liverpool's backline has looked a bit vulnerable at times this season.

The Brazilian was able to exploit that when these sides last met in October, as he recorded four shots, of which three hit the target, and one found the back of the net.

In addition to that, Igor Thiago also found his way into the referee’s notebook, highlighting how involved he was in the game. Interestingly, Thiago ranks top of the charts for total fouls committed by any player in the Premier League this season, highlighting his aggressive approach.

Brentford rank 15th for total fouls in the division, which shows how a large percentage are accounted for by their forward line. 

Ibrahima Konate came off against Chelsea and was a doubt for the Villa Park clash, but he should be available and fit to start here, having played the full 90 against Unai Emery’s men. He will have to try to deal with Thiago this weekend. 

Konate was fouled twice in the reverse fixture, and he is now averaging 1.2 fouls drawn per 90 in the league this season. He has hit this mark in three of his last five at Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been Liverpool's best player this season, and he contributed two assists against Aston Villa last time out.

The Hungarian international was responsible for delivering the set-pieces, which were nodded in by Virgil Van Dijk, meaning he has now contributed directly to 25 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions this season - 13 goals and 12 assists. One of those assists came against Brentford in the reverse fixture, as Szoboszlai set up Mo Salah in the 89th minute. 

Considering Szoboszlai has featured at fullback for several games this season as well, those numbers are incredibly impressive, and he has recorded one goal and four assists in his last five league appearances alone.

He has been playing in an attacking midfield role recently, and Szoboszlai has been central to almost everything the Reds have done well in the final third this term.

Milos Kerkez also had quite a heavy involvement in the reverse fixture, as he picked up the first yellow card of the game for his first foul in the 33rd minute. The fullback then scored just before half-time. Kerkez struggled to deal with Dango Ouattara on the flank, and he looks set for another tough test on Sunday afternoon. 

Kerkez is averaging 0.9 fouls per 90 across all competitions this season, which is nothing to write home about, but he has shown a tendency to be quite rash and clumsy in his challenges, which means he has picked up six bookings. 

Ouattara is averaging 1.56 fouls drawn per 90 in the Premier League this season, and he will look to isolate Kerkez as often as possible, given the success he had in the reverse fixture. Ouattara was fouled twice against Man City in his last away outing, despite only featuring off the bench for the final 22 minutes.

Ryan Gravenberch scored after just six minutes against Chelsea in his last outing at Anfield, and he followed that up by landing this selection against Aston Villa - his one shot forced a save from Emi Martinez.

Gravenberch has been an underrated asset going forward for the Reds this season, and he has chipped in with five league goals from 35 appearances. The Dutchman is averaging 1.11 shots per 90 across all competitions, rising to 1.36 when playing on home turf, where he has landed this selection in each of his last five starts. 

He has also registered multiple shots in four of those matches, and Gravenberch should again be encouraged to push into advanced positions this weekend. Liverpool need a result, which means they will aim to sustain pressure on Brentford, which should allow Gravenberch to pick up promising positions in the final third.

After their 4-2 defeat at Villa Park last weekend, Liverpool’s future is not yet secure for next season, and they will need at least a point here against Brentford. The Reds have been much better at Anfield this season, with 33 goals scored from their 18 games, so they will fancy their chances of getting the job done. 

However, Brentford aren’t a side to underestimate, especially as they won the reverse fixture 3-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Bees still have plenty to play for, as they could qualify for the Europa League next season, but they will need to win here.

Both sides still have it all to play for, so they will have to be front-footed in their approach. We should get quite an open game on Merseyside this weekend, with chances available at both ends of the field. 

This is one of my most profitable angles of the season – Igor Thiago to foul opposition centre backs. The Brazilian has committed more infringements than any other Premier League player this season, and his physical approach has seen central defenders against the Bees winning 11 free kicks in their last five matches. 

A regular in this column across the campaign, Ibrahima Konate is consistently caught late, drawing 1.2 fouls per 90. The Frenchman has been fouled at least once in 11 of his last 12 league starts as he often comes out on top in aerial duels with opposition strikers, leading to them making frustrated fouls. In the previous meeting with Brentford, he was brought down twice and a repeat of that will do nicely in this intriguing-looking battle.