Brentford

Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, Andrews confirmed there were no new issues to report.

• However, he did clarify why Rico Henry has been out of action lately. He explained: "He picked up an injury a few weeks ago, a hip quad injury in training" and added the full-back will be "probably out until after the international break".

• On rotating his team from the weekend draw against Hull, Andrews said: "It's as important a game for us as Hull is, and as Nottingham Forest is on Saturday. We got to the quarter-finals last year. If we come through this game, we get to that same point and we want to go as far as we can go in this competition."

• On his side drawing 12 of their last 18 league games: "I think there's an element of if you go back to analysing every game it'll be different. I think previously we maybe wouldn't have come back to draw that game [against Hull]."

• He added: "The players are not robots. They're human beings with emotions, with feelings, confidence levels. I'm just looking forward to the game tomorrow. How we turn the draws into wins is the challenge."

• On Igor Thiago's form after scoring once in the league so far: "I think with Thiago it's very simple, as long as he's working as hard as he is in training and in games, the fruits of his labour will come."

• On Sunderland's slow start to the season, Andrews said: "I don't think they should be bottom and I don't think they will be for very long. I think they're a well-drilled team. We've only seen that a few weeks ago when they came to the Gtech. We've had some really good games against them over the last year and a bit. Sunderland is going to prove to be a very difficult game for us tomorrow, no doubt."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford fan Michael Johnston says he is concerned about the form of striker Igor Thiago, which he feels has "fallen off a cliff in recent weeks".

In Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hull City, the Brazil international failed to net again, with his record this season sitting at one goal from eight Premier League appearances.

This is a far cry from his outstanding record last term, where he pushed Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for the golden boot with his 22 goals in 38 games.

The Bees have been solid in the opening months of the campaign but they are regularly failing to turn draws into wins and with Thiago floundering in front of goal, Johnston believes boss Keith Andrews might need to look at other options.

On the draw with Hull, Johnston said: "Far too many of our regulars were far too casual, none more so than Igor Thiago, who I think we need to start having some serious conversations about.

"Still just the one goal this season, and it's not had the desired effect since Chelsea. But it's his overall play which has got me a bit more concerned because it's fallen off a cliff in recent weeks.

"Callum Wilson is given just 12 minutes off the bench to impact it and he must be questioning why, because everyone can tell it wasn't Igor Thiago's day and it wasn't against Liverpool either."

Listen to the full clip from Michael here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Hull and Brentford

Here are some of your comments:

Hull fans

Dave: I thought it was a fair result, Brentford certainly deserved a point, but so did Hull City overall. City were never going to get that many chances, so the one for Joe Gelhardt near the end was massive. It would have taken them past the 11-point mark a lot of people said they wouldn't get.

Rich: Decent performance for the Tigers, but need to start converting these draws into wins otherwise they'll get dragged into a relegation battle.

David: So much better than last week.

Justin: Great to see the team have restored their spirit after Fulham. Clearly international duty had a big impact on those players energy reserves who were on duty. A win against Brentford would have been great, but careful team development, confidence building and strengthening, hopefully will pay dividends later in the year. You can see the beginnings of real depth in the squad, but now we need crucial wins to start coming. Well done! UTT

Brentford fans

David: Unfortunate penalty to concede. However, with our squad and ambitions to be in Europe we should have still gone on to win. Thiago played OK. Just doesn't looked like he is going to score goals anytime soon. Both sides probably thought they should have come away with three points. End to end stuff in the last 20 minutes. Very entertaining.

Alan: Everyone seems downbeat, but it's still a point away. With players to come back, they will make things better. Win next game and maybe a point away is not so bad.

Paul: Pretty poor display by the Bees, too many players lacking confidence. Think Keith Andrews has got to be strong and give the big names that aren't performing a rest and try something different...

Sampson: Solid performance from the Bees. Dango Outtara back to his best is nice to see. The penalty was a bit soft but overall, I think a draw was a fair result. Bring on Nottingham Forest!

Keith Andrews reacts to Brentford's 1-1 draw at Hull: "It was a tough game and it was always going to be a tough game. I've got a lot of respect for Sergej and the journey he's taken this team on – I think it's been remarkable.

"We reacted well at half-time, the impact from the bench was pretty good but it was a tough game.

"We prepared for this game as diligently as we did for Liverpool or Aston Villa, we knew it was coming but I don't think we dealt with it as well as we could have at times.

"With how we defended, we were tentative at times and not as aggressive on occasions as we usually are but the opposition play a part in that and they were pretty good on that front.

"We lacked a bit of cohesion at times in how we played, we've got very good players and good players on the bench and I think it's important that when they come on they realise that they have to impact the game.

"It's nice today that they had that impact."

Did you know?

For the first time this season Brentford conceded first in a Premier League game, becoming the 20th and final team to suffer that fate this season.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It is often said that if you win your home games and draw the away ones then you will likely have a decent season, and Brentford are pretty much doing just that at the moment.

The Bees have claimed impressive home wins against Tottenham and Chelsea and are unbeaten on the road in a strong start to the season, sitting just four points off the top four.

The only concern is that they have drawn all four of their fixtures on the road and this was the first time this season they had failed to take the lead in a match.

With 14 attempts on goal in this match Brentford fans will likely feel this was a missed opportunity to get that first away win, but ultimately their side rarely truly worried Konstantinos Tzolakis in the Hull goal.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Hull City's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle

• Hull City v Brentford

• Liverpool v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Manchester United v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Leeds (16:30)- listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Sunderland match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

Although Hull City have made a great start I still think they will get relegated.

We know they will have a go at Brentford, but the Bees will be too smart for them.

Brentford would have beaten Liverpool last week without Yehor Yarmoliuk's stupid red card. If they can keep 11 men on the pitch, they will win this one.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Hull City face Brentford for the first time in a top-flight fixture. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at MKM Stadium on Sunday.

Hull find themselves in the paradoxical situation of having made a strong start to the season despite failing to win any of their past five matches.

That run has included draws with both Chelsea and Everton after falling behind, while history suggests that Hull's tally of nine points after seven matches offers an excellent chance of Premier League survival.

Of the 13 promoted teams to have amassed exactly nine points at this stage, only five went on to be relegated. The most recent of those was Norwich City in 2015-16.

The bedrock of Hull's early promise has been an unbeaten start at home, with a win and two draws so far. Across the past 11 seasons, the only two promoted teams to remain undefeated in their first four home games were Wolves in 2018-19 and Sunderland last season. They both went on to finish in seventh.

The Tigers' success so far, both home and away, has been built on picking the right moment to go after opposing teams.

They rank just 15th in the Premier League for high turnovers (defined as winning the ball within 40 metres of your opponent's goal), yet only three teams have recorded more shots that have originated from a high turnover.

In other words, Hull City are selective as to when they press but often do so effectively in dangerous areas.

Hull next face a Brentford side who have conceded more high turnovers than any Premier League side other than Aston Villa; an unwelcome statistic for a visiting team with an unwelcome habit of throwing away points this season.

Two red cards were reasonable mitigation for Brentford's 2-1 loss to Liverpool last weekend, a game in which they took the lead through Keane Lewis-Potter. It means that Brentford have now dropped an unrivalled 11 points from winning positions in 2026-27.

If ill-discipline and late goals have both been factors in Brentford's failure to see out games, so too has been the form of forward Igor Thiago.

The Brazil international was a vital part of their success last season and scored 22 goals, but he has managed just one in seven outings so far this season, despite an expected goals total of 3.69 - compromising Brentford's ability to kill off matches.

Thiago, though, can take confidence from his record against promoted clubs, scoring six goals in his past six Premier League appearances against them.

If Thiago's form was to improve this weekend, it could end a curious hoodoo for the Bees: they have not won a top-flight match in Yorkshire since 1947, drawing four and losing one of their five visits in the Premier League.

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Hull City at MKM Stadium (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Andrews said there was "nothing major to note" with regards to injury news. The Bees are still without captain Nathan Collins and Mathias Jensen but they have "taken the next step of their journey back with really good weeks of training".

• On striker Igor Thiago, who has scored one league goal this season, Andrews said: "We constantly need to evolve how we are playing and how we are creating chances. Thiago at the moment is a very marked man. We've got goalscorers throughout the team. Thiago being Thiago wants to score more goals and he's certainly not far away."

• On bouncing back after defeat against Liverpool: "We are always quite adaptable and have to be flexible in how and why we do things. We'll find that balance between what we have, where players are with their game, and how we can try to exploit what Hull show to find the gameplan that works."

• On facing Hull: "A proper test. They've a belief they can absolutely compete at this level. They've produced some really good performances; they've been in every single game they've played and we're at the end of October. That says everything about where they are."

• He added that Hull have been "brilliant" since returning to the top flight, stating: "It's very evident that they have a spirit, a really honest spirit about the group, and they have a togetherness and honesty about the group. They've got some very, very experienced players that have been in the league before, and they've got players that are there for the first time that want to enjoy the journey. The way they play the game and the way they're organised is very impressive."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked if you think Igor Thiago should be benched against Hull City on Sunday after some perceived struggles of late.

Here are some of your comments:

Colin: Lots of debate in the stands about resting Thiago but I think it would be a mistake. He adds so much more to the team than scoring (which will come back). He chases, holds up play and lays off balls to other players. His decision making was, admittedly, poor against Liverpool but sometimes players have howlers.

Callum: Rotate him out for this Hull game and play Wilson. Maybe use him as an impact sub and play him at home against Forest. He is not converting at all enough.

Sam: The only issue with Thiago not starting is who would take the centre forward role? I guess you could put Callum Wilson on but I don't think he is at Brentford to be the starting nine - but I am concerned about Thiago's form.

Rog: Thiago is a great striker, but we have another great striker sat on the bench in Wilson. Resting Thiago is an option they should take up, and get Wilson some game time, maybe even play both up front.

Bob: Goalscorers often pass through barren spells so we just need patience and a bit of faith in Thiago. He'll come good.

Ian: Igor Thiago is an old style centre forward. He holds up the ball and brings others into the game. Like any forward, he is going through a lean spell in scoring goals. However, he is a team player and important to Brentford going forward. I am sure that the goals will return to his game. For Keith Andrews to rotate him and start him on the bench, I say no.

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford fan Mike Johnson tells BBC Radio London that there has been plenty of conversation amongst the fanbase about Igor Thiago, and if the Brazil forward should be rested or not.

"I'm a little bit torn, to be honest," Mike said.

"He never hides, he runs his socks off and you can imagine he's a nightmare to play against - but in terms of confidence, his goal against Chelsea hasn't had the desired effect.

"You weigh up the options on the bench and Callum Wilson has looked impressive when he's played, although only in the EFL Cup against Birmingham and Reading.

"Will Keith [Andrews] decide to rest his main number nine? I think the answer is probably no, especially when you consider the close relationship they have off the pitch. You also need to factor in the type of player Thiago seems to be, and if being benched for a game would actually do more damage to his confidence then giving him the nod from the start.

"I think it would be in Thiago and the club's best interests to start him against Hull and hope he gives a performance that gets certain sections of the fanbase off his back - but I do understand where the frustrations are coming from."

Where do you stand on Thiago? Do you think benching him would be a good idea or should Andrews continue to start him?

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool aren't exactly under pressure, but things are not hunky-dory.

Before Brentford's Yehor Yarmoliuk was sent off on Saturday, the Bees were leading and it looked likely to stay that way.

Important Reds are sidelined by injury. This is partly through bad luck but also partly the result of poor planning. With the club spending far too much on too few players, the squad has been left dangerously thin and it shows. It might not be as skeletal as Everton's, but it is still under-resourced, especially with a Champions League campaign to be fought.

The moment of the match for Liverpool, and maybe the most pivotal single moment of the weekend alongside Noni Madueke's goal for Arsenal, was that sending off.

Yarmoliuk had to go because the rules demand it, though I am pretty sure Jeremy Jacquet was not nearly as badly injured as he affected. It was all a sad outcome, particularly when considering the incident leading up to it.

Jacquet was winding Yarmoliuk up and had deliberately stuck his shoulder into the Brentford defender's face seconds before the headbutting reaction. Had Yarmoliuk gone down first, perhaps feigning a terrible injury of his own, the referee might have sent Jacquet off.

The Bees will have felt cheated, though it was gross naivety alongside bad luck. The Brentford man was nudged towards the Frenchman from behind at just the wrong moment.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Cliff: Brentford were the better team when it was 11 versus 11. First sending off cost us the game. I can't believe Liverpool had three £100m-plus players, but yet they we're so ordinary.

Graham: Unfortunately, I feel we are losing our discipline in games. I appreciate that these days you only have to breathe on somebody to get a booking, but that's the way it is. Why is it that it seems to be the same players every game?

Peter: Why was the crowd clapping Yehor Yarmolyuk off? We were in control of the game. Keith Andrews should not play him for the next three games after his red card ban. It might concentrate his mind. Such a stupid way to lose our unbeaten record.

Nigel: Very proud of the Bees. They kept attacking right until the 96th minute. Although we lost for the first time this season, I don't feel too upset after that performance.

Liverpool fans

Rae: So much potential but often so disjointed. Jeremy Jacquet is immense already and Florian Wirtz was creative, yet inconsistent. Alexander Isak becoming the player every one knows. Midfield, though, is still lightweight and needs a proper number six.

Sam: It always looked like we were going to lose this game, even against nine men and being a goal up. The complacency of the guys upfront and the loose passes throughout was shocking! I'm surprised we were able to get a win out of it and we're lucky we did.

Adam: Forget the beautiful game, what we lacked last year was that battling spirit and the ability to fight physical teams, so it was great to see so much of that across the pitch. Made up for Wirtz. Give the lad some credit.

Robbie: A bit of a laboured performance. Physical teams like Brentford don't suit Wirtz - another quiet game. Disappointed to see two more injuries. The plus side is that Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha are looking good and another solid display from Alexis Mac Allister. All in all, it was a hard-earned three points, but there are some hard games ahead. Liverpool must improve.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I felt comfortable and like we were growing into the game. Getting a bit more control of the game and momentum and belief about how we were playing. The sending off gives a bit of a leveller.

"I think we should do better [with the sending off]. I think Yarmolyuk needs to learn from that and he will. He's an amazing young man and I love him to bits. We need to look at ourselves."

"I felt good, I felt confident. I felt we were in a good place and were getting into that state. I think we had really good options to come into the game but the whole dynamic of the game changes within that. But we showed so much character, spirit, grit."

"I'm really disappointed we lost today, I have to be honest. We came into this game in a confident place. We underestimate no team in this league. We're a proper team, and we'll reset and go again."

Did you know?

• Brentford have scored first in all seven of their league games this season – it is the longest run by a team at the beginning of a Premier League campaign since 2011-12 (Manchester City - first 10, Manchester United - first 7).

• Yehor Yarmoliuk received his first red card on his 117th appearance for Brentford across all competitions.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, PA Media

Brentford manager Keith Andrews will have been satisfied with his side's performance and effort, but it was all undermined by one moment of ill-discipline from their Ukraine midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk.

The Bees had been relatively untroubled and deservedly led through Keane Lewis-Potter's header, but were facing an uphill struggle once they were at a numerical disadvantage after Yarmoliuk tangled with Jeremy Jacquet as they waited for a corner to be taken.

It came at a crucial time, giving lacklustre Liverpool the opening it always seemed inevitable they would take.

Once Liverpool drew level Brentford were fighting a rearguard action rather than taking the game to Liverpool, as they had done in the opening half.

Brentford continued to battle against the odds, but ultimately Yarmoliuk's red card left them with too much to do.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Hull City

• Manchester City v Ipswich Town - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle United v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Liverpool" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswichmatch", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

Brentford have had an unbeaten start, and while I thought they were a bit lucky to get a draw at Aston Villa last week, they have plenty of momentum.

Liverpool got a big win on their travels in the Champions League against LASK on Wednesday but there are two ways to look at that result.

On one hand, they looked good going forward and it was great for Bradley Barcola to open his account with a hat-trick.

But, at the same time, they conceded three goals and they still have that vulnerability about them at the back.

If the Reds empty the midfield again in this game then they are going to be in trouble, because Brentford are quite direct and will keep looking to run in behind the Liverpool defence.

The sceptics will say Barcola needs to start delivering in the Premier League too, and Florian Wirtz has been taking a bit of a battering for his performances.

The question I asked on the Monday Night Club was: 'what kind of player actually is he?'

They have paid so much money for him but is he a dribbler? No. He's not the kind of player to shoot and score from the edge of the box either.

He has got an intelligent football brain but Liverpool wanted more than that. When you spend so much on a player, you want some numbers from him.

This is a tricky game for Liverpool, and I don't think they will win it. They definitely won't keep a clean sheet, either.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here