Liverpool predicted line-up vs. Brentford: Six changes made as £35m midfielder misses out

Liverpool play Brentford on Sunday afternoon as the Reds look to win their first game in three following disappointing results against Luton Town and Toulouse - but they will have to do so without several important players.

Jürgen Klopp's men were denied a late equalizer on Thursday evening in the Europa League by yet another controversial VAR decision, but did at least come through the group stage game without further injury issues - despite which, at least six players will miss out when the Bees arrive at Anfield.

We've pulled together all the latest team news and injury updates ahead of Sunday's Premier League game, and ventured our best guess at Klopp's starting eleven.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Club captain Virgil van Dijk didn't travel to France ahead of the 3-2 defeat to Toulouse after he came down with an illness - but Klopp was optimistic that the Dutchman will be able to play this weekend, saying "he should absolutely be alright." The decision to leave Van Dijk at home seems to have mostly come down to wanting to avoid the bug spreading to other members of the squad, with Klopp telling Liverpool's club website that he had been a little under the weather as well.

Assuming Van Dijk is available to face Brentford, the only defensive player who should miss out will be left-back Andrew Robertson, who will be unavailable until the new year thanks to a serious shoulder injury. Mid to late January has been suggested as a likely time for a comeback.

Midfield

The bulk of Klopp's selection problems lie in midfield, with no fewer than four of his central midfielders missing with injuries - and they will be joined in the stands by Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister this weekend, with the former Brighton man suspended for one game after picking up his fifth booking of the Premier League campaign in the 1-1 draw against Luton last weekend.

Neither Curtis Jones nor Ryan Gravenberch made the journey to southern France, with the former sidelined until after the international break with a hamstring injury and the latter dealing with a "little niggle of the knee," as the German head coach phrased it. There is some hope that the summer signing will be ready to go against the Bees, but it seems relatively unlikely that he will start as it stands.

The other two injury absentees are Thiago Alcântara, who is likely to be out until at least early January with an ongoing hip issue, and youngster Stefan Bajčetić, who has a calf problem. Neither has been able to feature so far this season.

Forwards

Liverpool have a clean bill of health up front, but the most important news is that Luis Díaz's father has been freed after he was kidnapped in Colombia. Díaz continued to play through the ordeal but it will be an immense weight off his shoulders knowing that his family is safe. He is likely to play again this weekend, with either Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo or Darwin Nuñéz taking the central striker's role between Díaz and Mohamed Salah.

Full predicted line-up vs. Brentford

Alisson; Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Endo, Elliot, Szoboszlai; Díaz, Jota, Salah.