Liverpool

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola spoke positively about Ronald Araujo and how his arrival at Anfield came about as a result of Liverpool's defensive shortages after their pre-season tour this summer.

With Iraola confirming it will be "difficult" to see Jeremie Frimpong in action before the November international break because of a new injury, the decision to bring Araujo in looks like one that will continue to serve Liverpool well.

The 27-year-old Uruguay international has started eight of the Reds' 10 games this season and played primarily at right-back.

As for Dominik Szoboszlai, there will be some relief among Liverpool fans that he has not suffered a new injury, but Iraola will know they must be careful with one of their most important players.

With important Premier League games coming up against Brighton and Arsenal over the next fortnight, Liverpool will hope to have the Hungarian back sooner rather than later.

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Liverpool defender Ronald Araujo believes it is "very early" to talk about a permanent move to Anfield, but says he will "give absolutely everything" for the shirt this season.

The 27-year-old, who joined Liverpool on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy in August, has already made 10 appearances - scoring one goal and contributing one assist.

"I knew how big the club was but when I got here I saw how gigantic it is in terms of dimension, structure and fan support," Araujo said in a news conference before Tuesday's Champions League game against Villarreal at Anfield.

"I'm very happy that I've been welcomed in as just another player, not just by the people at the club but also by the fans. I'm very grateful to everyone and I want to give back by giving everything always.

"It is too early to talk about these things [signing permanently]. I'm just trying to enjoy every day here. I want to grow, develop and play. I'm really happy to be here."

On Andoni Iraola asking him to fill in at right-back, Araujo said: "It isn't a problem for me because I've already played that position a few times.

"When I made my decision to come here, I knew it was a possibility that I would need to play at right-back, so it's not something new to me.

"Ultimately, I just try to give everything regardless of the position I find myself in, and I try to give my very best to whatever a manager asks of me."

Having reached the Champions League quarter-finals with Barcelona in 2023–24, Araujo is keen to "compete for all titles this season".

"I really do believe we have a great side here," the Uruguayan added. "We have a team of great players with great potential. The Champions League is a very difficult competition and the knockout games are decided by fine details, but I believe we can compete.

"We know it is a very long season but we are on the right path. We are progressing as a side and we also have the potential to grow."

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong is set to be out until the November international break with a muscle injury, while midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai will miss Tuesday's Champions League game against Villarreal with a recurrence of the injury that kept him out of matches against Manchester City and LASK.

The pair were both forced off during Liverpool's win at Brentford on Saturday.

"Frimpong has a new muscle injury. It's difficult to predict [when he will return]," said Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.

"We will have to wait until he recovers but it is going to be difficult before the break. We will try, but it is going to be difficult to have him.

"Szoboszlai is different - it is not a new injury. I think it is in the same place it was in the past week. It hasn't worsened, but probably we have to be a bit patient until he recovers fully. It is not like he has to wait a long time to come back - it is more or less the same situation he was in this past week.

"I appreciate what he did the other day, to be available, want to contribute in a very difficult game [against Brentford] that you know is going to be very physical. To put himself in front and want to play, speaks very well."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against Villarreal at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong "weren't brought back too soon" from their respective injuries, despite the former being forced off after 32 minutes and the latter being substituted seven minutes after coming on against Brentford.

• He explained: "It is two different circumstances. Dominik Szoboszlai isn't suffering with a new injury. We will probably just have to be a bit more patient with him until he recovers fully. He won't be out for a long time, he hasn't worsened his injury. Jeremie Frimpong has picked up a new muscle injury. It will be hard to get him back before the international break, but we will try."

• On Florian Wirtz becoming the first player to create nine or more chances from open play in a Premier League match for over five years in the win at Brentford: "He came into the last match off the back of two very good games. He helped the team a lot, in and out of possession. I hope we can keep him at this level." However, Iraola highlighted that people seem to "over-analyse and over-scrutinise" the Germany international, who has "done well" this season.

• Ronald Araujo "has proven he is ready to help the team" after joining Liverpool on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy in August. The centre-back's ability to fill in at right-back also shows he is "ready for anything" the team needs.

• The intention is to field the "best starting XI possible" against Villarreal, but that might not be the team "everyone is thinking" because "some players aren't fresh enough".

• On his first 10 competitive matches as Reds manager: "I haven't even had time to think about it. I've seen a little bit of everything so far, but I don't have time to reflect a lot during the season. It is about learning through the process and adapting to the situation right now. All we are trying to do is learn and improve every day."

• He added: "You learn by going through difficulties. Until you're under the pressure of having to try Victor Munoz in a position he hasn't played before or playing with 10 men, you don't have the knowledge about each other. These things show the character of the players."

• Liverpool will need to play how they did against Atletico Madrid to beat Villarreal. He knows the La Liga club "very well" and anticipates "a very demanding game" at Anfield.

• Andoni Iraola will be going up against his friend and former assistant coach Inigo Perez on Tuesday. The pair have known each other since their "academy years at Athletic Club" and have "been through a lot of things together". Iraola added: "It is a privilege for me to face him in a Champions League game. He knows me very well, but also his team is one that I follow. It is going to be a little bit strange, in a good way."

All the key lines from Monday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Another edition of BBC Radio Merseyside's The Red Kop is available now on BBC Sounds, as journalists covering Liverpool dissect the talking points.

Liverpool came back to beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday to make it back-to-back away wins.

Paul Salt, Chris Coughlin and match commentator Mike Hughes discuss the importance of Alexis Mac Allister, Rio Ngumoha and a potential new deal, plus Andoni Iraola's subs coming good.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Liverpool content on BBC Sounds

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.

Liverpool might have staged a comeback against Brentford but former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy feels Andoni Iraola's side have been "too easy to play through" this season.

Previously unbeaten Brentford paid a heavy price Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card in first-half added time for a "headbutting action" on Jeremy Jacquet, with Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak finding the net eight minutes apart in the second half.

Liverpool dominated in attack at Gtech Community Stadium, with an expected xG of 1.51 compared to Brentford's 0.85, but they have now conceded eight goals in seven league games.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Murphy said: "Liverpool are too easy to play through, they really are. They are disorganised in the press and I'm not sure whether that is down to the change in personnel or if they just need more time.

"It was just consistently happening in the first half - and these Premier League sides will hurt you.

"Although Liverpool show moments when they go forward, they are conceding far too many chances to be competitive at the top of the table at the minute."

Catch up on Match of the Day here

Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Florian Wirtz was instrumental as Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League at Brentford on Saturday, but does the German playmaker remain boss Andoni Iraola's greatest conundrum?

The visitors produced plenty of chances, particularly with their man advantage in the second half when they registered 14 of their total 21 attempts.

Wirtz was at the heart of things in the final third.

The Germany international created more chances from open play (nine) than any other player has managed in a Premier League game over the past six seasons.

Despite answering his critics with those standout statistics, the impact of his playing style on the dynamic of the team continues to come under scrutiny.

BBC Sport pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes a midfield which features Wirtz as the number 10 remains a problem as it makes Iraola's side too easy to play against.

"They got the job done. First and foremost, that's another win on the road, which is always positive," Murphy said of Liverpool's performance.

"But I thought they looked too easy to play against.
The spaces are too big.

"They're playing with two wingers and Wirtz at 10, so they're relying heavily on the two midfield players to try and cover so much space.

"It was too easy for Brentford to play out and to get in behind. That would be the biggest concern today for me."

Liverpool stage comeback to win at

Wirtz's strengths are clear.

Following his latest performance, no player has created more chances in the Premier League this season. He is level with Brighton's Pascal Gross on 18.

He played in Munoz to begin Liverpool's fightback, meaning Wirtz has assisted in back-to-back games for Liverpool across all competitions for the first time - although this was only his second goal involvement in seven league games this term.

He was at the heart of Liverpool's attack, with a match-leading 12 final-third entries and 37 passes in the final third.

Read more on Wirtz's performance against Brentford here

Bournemouth could ask for more than £100m for English midfielder Alex Scott, 23, who is attracting interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. (Football Insider), external

Barcelona are facing competition from Real Madrid for Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch, 20, with Liverpool also showing interest in the German youngster. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, speaking to Sky Sports: "There was a lot of things happening during the game. The first half more or less was quite level, we had the clear chance.

"They scored before the end and second half we need the comeback. I think we played really well until the 2-1. After that we started to protect something, I think we didn't manage the last minutes well.

"I think some of the players were seeing quite clear chances to finish the game that we haven't been able to finish. We lacked some composure on the ball. Sometimes it was just about keeping the ball more and not going for the goal with the first chance."

On the penalty and red card: "Two decisions, I need to see them, both of them. I think the penalty is probably not a penalty."

On Jeremie Frimpong: He finished cramping the other day in the Champions League so we knew he wouldn't start the game. We were playing against 10 and I thought he was going to give us more going forwards, but he felt straight away something in the muscle."

On Dominik Szoboszlai: "He has tried, he has trained the last days, but we didn't know the minutes he'd have. It's not another injury, he's still not healed."

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Very hard. It's not an easy place to come to. It's a tough game and a physical type of game to play, which makes it even more satisfying.

"Being a difficult game and us being down 1-0, it shows character to turn it around. We hung in there and pushed for the victory.

"I think everyone has some team where they do extra well against. I've had a good record against Brentford. Happy about that."

On bouncing back from the Man City defeat: "That's always the challenge, to bounce back and get back to winning ways. Now it's just about keeping this spirit and getting a winning streak."

Did you know?

• Liverpool have won a Premier League away game after conceding first for the first time since December 2023 against Crystal Palace (2-1), ending a run of 19 without a win when going 1-0 behind on the road (D7 L12).

• Florian Wirtz is the first player to create nine or more chances from open play in a Premier League game since Sadio Mane against Burnley in January 2021 (9), also for Liverpool, and first in an away match since Samir Nasri for Manchester City vs Spurs in August 2011 (10).

Listen to more match reaction from Rio Ngumoha below or on BBC Sounds here

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak's languid style often sees him operating on the margins of games, but his habit of coming alive in the penalty area is proving vital for Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.

And Isak is proving particularly valuable to Liverpool on their travels, after scoring twice in the 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town, the winner at Bournemouth and now the strike at Brentford that proved decisive.

It was classic Isak, having been virtually anonymous previously, as he pounced on Bradley Barcola's header eight minutes after Victor Munoz's equaliser.

Iraola will be delighted and relieved, especially after losing Dominik Szoboszlai to what looked like a recurrence of his hamstring injury in the first half, then Jeremie Frimpong only seven minutes after coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half.

Liverpool were not fluent, but results are all-important for Iraola as he begins his reign and this was an important win.

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.

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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

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford bid to continue their unbeaten start to the season against a Liverpool side aiming to bounce back from a first loss of the campaign against Manchester City.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

Brentford's draw at Aston Villa means they host Liverpool on Saturday as one of only three Premier League teams yet to lose this season, although the manner of the result at Villa Park was another reminder that their strong start could have been even better.

The Bees again dropped points from a winning position, having taken the lead after just 10 minutes through midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk only to go on to draw 2-2.

It means Keith Andrews' side have dropped more points after going ahead than any side other than Bournemouth in this Premier League campaign.

Brentford have trailed for fewer than six minutes in total this season – by far the lowest total of any team – but have won only two of their six matches (D4).

Part of the issue is the form of centre-forward Igor Thiago. Only Erling Haaland scored more than the Brazil international's 22 league goals last season, but Thiago has not been at his clinical best in 2026-27, netting only once from an expected goals tally of 3.2 – the biggest underperformance of any player so far.

Fourth-place Brentford, though, still face Liverpool ranked higher in the league table for the first time since 1938 and against a visiting time who lost for the first time under Andoni Iraola against Manchester City on Sunday, ending the Spaniard's 23-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Incidentally, Iraola's lowest points-per-game tally as a Premier League manager is in this fixture, with his Bournemouth side failing to beat the Bees in all six meetings during his tenure at Vitality Stadium (D2, L4).

Liverpool bounced back from last weekend's loss at Anfield to beat LASK 6-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Bradley Barcola scoring a first career hat-trick – his first Liverpool goals on his seventh appearance since joining for £123m from Paris St-Germain earlier this year.

While Barcola's performance is a welcome boon before a tough away fixture, Liverpool may look elsewhere for a potential match-winner.

Following a difficult debut campaign on Merseyside, Alexander Isak has scored four times in five league outings this season, while his record against Brentford is excellent.

The 27-year-old has scored in all four of his Premier League appearances against the Bees, including three at the Gtech.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Trey Nyoni has said former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is his inspiration and that he styles his game on the Spaniard.

"I always watch players like Thiago. Yeah, he is the guy," said Nyoni, 19, after making his first Champions League start for Liverpool in Wenesday's 6-3 win over LASK.

Andoni Iraola described Nyoni as "mature" and "tactically very smart" at his pre-Brentford news conference on Thursday. On what the Reds boss asked of him, Nyoni added: "The manager has given me a lot of trust. He wants me to get on the ball as much as possible and always look to play forward. That's the biggest message.

"Obviously, to try to press high. With our press, everyone has their different roles and responsibilities.

"He has given me so much responsibility. Ever since he came in, he has tried to make my life easy. He is helping a lot and helping me adapt to a new position I am playing right now. I still have a lot of work to keep improving but, right now, I feel good."

Nyoni, who left Leicester City's academy to join Liverpool in September 2023, made his Liverpool debut in February 2024 and has featured 26 times for the first team.

With Ryan Gravenberch suspended and Dominik Szoboszlai a doubt for Saturday's trip to Brentford, Nyoni could make his first Premier League start.

"I don't feel nervous at all. I don't get nervous. With all the hard work I have put in to get to this moment and position, I just want to show the manager and everyone what I can do and show the fans what I can do," he said.

"Honestly, nights like this [in Europe] are something I have always dreamed of. Now, I just have to keep on going and going."