Salah Starts, Liverpool Tweak Lineup for Brentford Clash on Oct 25

When Liverpool Football Club announced a three‑player shuffle for Matchday 9, the buzz rippled through the Premier League like a sudden gust on a still night.

At 20:00 UTC on Saturday, 25 October 2025, the Liverpool vs. BrentfordGtech Community Stadium, London, United Kingdom will host a packed crowd of roughly 17,214 fans, according to Sky Sports’ pre‑match count.

Here’s the thing: the Egyptian scorer Mohamed Salah, jersey 11, is back in the starting eleven after a week on the bench. That decision came from Arne Slot, the Dutch tactician who took over from Jürgen Klopp in June 2024.

Lineup Changes and Tactical Shifts

Slot’s three tweaks replaced the usual trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and James Milner with a more attack‑oriented setup. Salah partners with Darwin Núñez up front, while Cody Gakpo slides to the left wing, offering a double‑wing threat.

In defence, the Dutch‑born manager kept the core trio of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and the newly‑signed Milos Kerkez. Right‑back Connor Bradley starts, while Trent Alexander‑Arnold remains on the left.

Florian Wirtz, the German play‑maker signed last summer, will likely sit deeper as a creative pivot, feeding the forwards with his trademark split‑second vision.

But wait – the real twist is the inclusion of youngster Giovanni Mamardashvili between the sticks. The Georgian keeper, signed from Juventus, replaces Alisson Becker, who’s sidelined with a minor knock.

Brentford’s Approach

Across the pitch, Brentford Football Club will lock in a 4‑3‑3 that leans on defensive solidity. Goalkeeper Christian Nørgaard Kelleher has earned the nod, while captain Nathan Collins marshals the back line with Virgil van Dijk‑style composure.

The midfield trio of Youssoufa Moukoko, Joe Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard aims to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm, while forwards David Datro Ouattara and Iago Thiago look to exploit any gaps left by the Reds’ advanced full‑backs.

Coach Thomas Frank has hinted at a high‑press, especially in the opening fifteen minutes, hoping to force early mistakes from the Liverpool back line.

Match Officials and Venue Details

The referee for the night is Simon Hooper, supported by fourth official Tim Robinson. VAR duties fall to Chris Kavanagh, with assistant VAR Simon Bennett on standby.

The Gtech Community Stadium, home to Brentford since their 2021 promotion, seats just over 17,200 fans. Its compact layout often translates to a cauldron‑like atmosphere, especially when a big club like Liverpool rolls in.

What’s at Stake for Both Clubs?

For Liverpool, three points could narrow the gap to the league leaders, pushing them back into the title conversation. After a mixed start to the campaign – two wins, two draws and a loss – the team sits in fourth place, five points behind Manchester City.

Brentford, meanwhile, are fighting to keep clear of the relegation zone. A win would catapult them from 16th to 14th, providing a breathing‑room cushion before the busy December fixture list.

Interestingly, the last time the two met (March 2024), Liverpool edged a 2‑1 victory thanks to a late Salah strike. That memory still haunts Brentford fans, who hope the changed lineup might finally tilt the balance.

Expert Opinions and Fan Sentiment

Former England midfielder James Middlesworth told Sky Sports on 24 October that Slot’s gamble on Salah could be “the spark Liverpool needs to reignite their attack, but it also exposes their defensive frailty if the midfield doesn’t shield the back four.”

On the fan side, a post on the Anfield Noise forum, authored by user ‘TheSweetSilverSong’, summed up the mood: “Love the late‑night kick‑off, but I’m nervous about the back‑post overloads we’ve seen all season. If Salah can link up with Núñez, we might finally break that dead‑lock.”

Brentford’s supporters, on the club’s official Twitter feed, expressed cautious optimism: “We’ve tightened up at the back, and with Collins leading the line, we could surprise the Reds. Stay tuned, Bees!”

Key Facts

• Match: Liverpool vs Brentford – Premier League Matchday 9
• Date & Time: 25 Oct 2025, 20:00 UTC
• Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, London (capacity ≈ 17,200)
• Referee: Simon Hooper (VAR: Chris Kavanagh)
• Lineup change: Mohamed Salah starts; Gianni Mamardashvili in goal for Liverpool

What’s Next?

After the showdown, Liverpool’s next test comes against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 1 November, a clash that could decide the top‑four hierarchy. Brentford will host Watford in a mid‑week cup tie, giving them a chance to rotate and keep the squad fresh.

Whether Slot’s bold moves pay off will be evident in the scoreline, but one thing’s for sure – the night promises drama, tension, and probably a few late‑night celebrations if the Bees manage a shock upset.