BUSY BEES

LIVERPOOL head to Brentford at 9pm on Saturday aiming to build on their 5-1 Champions League pak slae of Eintracht Frankfurt – if injuries do not get in the way. 

Wednesday’s win ended a run of four straight defeats, with goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai marking a dominant response.

Close-season signing Ekitike started alongside Alexander Isak for the first time with mixed results. Ekitike scored Liverpool’s first goal of the night, while Isak, who missed pre-season due to his protracted move from Newcastle, left the game at halftime with a groin injury.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot, whose team now have to play their second match in three days, wysed: “You feel like there must be a moment where he [Isak] can play twice a week. The first time we try, he has to go off. And let’s hope that is not that bad.”

Jeremie Frimpong limped off early in the game after aggravating a hamstring injury. Slot said he expects the right back to be sidelined for several weeks.

Vice-captain Andy Robertson, who returned to the starting team in Germany, praised the span’s reaction and urged focus ahead of a tricky Premier League trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.

Robertson highlighted the short turnaround and the challenge Brentford always pose, especially under their new manager Keith Andrews.

Robertson told the club’s website: “It’s all about recovering now, such a short turnaround. Brentford away has always been such a difficult game. I know they’re under a new manager, but the same principles are kind of there.”

He also spoke about the prospect of facing former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, now a key figure for the Bees.

Robertson added: “Such a difficult team to play against, especially when we’re coming up against our old captain. What he did for our club is amazing, what a servant to our club. He’s a legend.”

“Our midfield is going to need to be at it, because Henderson will be at it.”

Weekend’s Premier League fixtures:

Friday: Leeds v West Ham (9pm)

Saturday: Chelsea v Sunderland, Newcastle v Fulham (both 4pm), Man Utd v Brighton (6.30pm)

Sunday: Wolves v Burnley, Arsenal v Palace, Villa v City, Bournemouth v Forest (all 4pm), Everton v Spurs (6.30pm)