Three transformed Liverpool players who must start vs Brentford, one completed 122 passes vs Frankfurt
Liverpool got back to winning ways against Frankfurt in the Champions League as they now turn their attention to Brentford in the Premier League.
Liverpool managed to avoid losing five matches in a row for the first time in 72 years following an emphatic 5-1 win away from home on 22 October.
Cody Gakpo was one of Liverpool’s goalscorers against Frankfurt as they proved doubters wrong, who believed trophies would be out of reach this season due to their recent form.
Ahead of their return to Premier League action against Brentford on 26 October, Football Insider considers the three transformed players who deservedly warrant a starting spot in west London following their Champions League exploits.
Curtis Jones the ideal deputy for Ryan Gravenberch
With doubts over when Ryan Gravenberch will return from injury for Liverpool, Curtis Jones stepped up in his place against Frankfurt.
The Englishman was sensational as he controlled and dictated play in the middle of the park, touching the ball a whopping 139 times.
As exhibited by his pass map, courtesy of Football Insider’s data partnership with Opta, the 24-year-old was practically flawless in his distribution.
The number 17 found 122 of his 127 passes, hitting an accuracy rate of 96 per cent in an all-round astute performance.
Arne Slot has no need to rush back Gravenberch, given his importance to the Reds, and Jones is the perfect replacement to run the midfield against the Bees.
Conor Bradley lively for Liverpool as fears grow over Jeremie Frimpong
Originally benched for the midweek clash, Conor Bradley replaced the injured Jeremie Frimpong in the 19th minute.
The Dutchman reportedly went off with a hamstring issue, which could be a reoccurrence of the same problem he had earlier this season.
Conversely, this opened the door for the Northern Irishman to deliver as he bombed up and down the right-hand side to support Liverpool’s attacks.
The Northern Ireland international’s heat map reflects his tenacity and endurance to support the Reds both going forward and going back.
Against Brentford’s expected low-block, Slot will be reliant on willing runs to break down the stubborn defence and Bradley will be key to maintaining the width on the right-hand side.
Florian Wirtz reborn as Arne Slot gives him exciting new role
Football Insider analysed Florian Wirtz’s new role against Frankfurt as he finally flourished after weeks of hardship.
The Germany international was electric on the night, operating in a free playmaker role that saw him become central to everything the Reds tried to do.
Liverpool’s passing network reflected the benefits of this new position, coming in off the right Wirtz played close to Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, supplying them with stunning service.
Given the Dutch manager has been clearly working on finding a way to get both of his star strikers into the starting XI together, deploying the German as a free-roaming attacking-midfielder could be the key to allowing the experiment to unfold.
Moreover, with Mohamed Salah’s deplorable form, Slot should genuinely contemplate dropping him to the bench once again to continue bringing the best out of Wirtz against the Bees.