Ivan Toney is in contention to face Liverpool this evening after scans allayed fears of a long layoff for the Brentford striker.
Toney, 26, was carried off on a stretcher in stoppage time during Brentford’s 2-0 win away to West Ham United on Friday, after he fell awkwardly and injured his right knee while defending a corner.
Thomas Frank, the Brentford manager, said it was a minor muscular issue, though Toney did not train yesterday. “It’s good news. It’s no significant injury,” Frank said. “It’s potentially possible that he could be available for tomorrow.”
Toney is Brentford’s top scorer this season with 12 goals and three assists in 16 league appearances and has already matched his goalscoring tally for last season.
The striker plays a critical role — not only in scoring goals but serving as a focal point, allowing the team to move up the pitch, isolate centre backs and distract opponents. His physicality and aerial ability in particular have proven immensely valuable to Brentford over the past 2½ seasons. At the G-Tech Stadium last season, he dominated Virgil van Dijk and Joël Matip in the air, as the teams fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw.
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Despite Toney’s importance, Frank is confident that his side will be able to pose other challenges to Liverpool.
“[If Toney does not play] we will need to find a slightly different way of trying to hurt Liverpool and I’m convinced we can find that,” Frank said. “We have other types that can play there; it could be Yoane Wissa, Keane Lewis-Potter or Sergi Canós.”
Frank highlighted transitions and set pieces as critical areas this evening; Brentford and Liverpool are in the top four teams for goals scored from set pieces this season. “The way they run their transitions is impressive,” he said of Jürgen Klopp’s team. “They come with so much pace, they’re so big in intensity. The way they cross the ball from different areas is such a threat and so difficult to close down.”
Managing the threat of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold from the full-back areas may prove pivotal.
“When Liverpool are at their highest [level] I think they maybe are the most difficult team to close down because they cross it, they combine, they play behind, they run at you — they threaten you from all different areas,” Frank said.
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“Plus, from set pieces, it’s them and us that have scored the most goals. We will need to defend very well tomorrow.”
The Brentford manager said that Kristoffer Ajer and Aaron Hickey are expected to return to the starting XI soon, with both players in training, though this evening’s match will come too early for the pair.
Brentford v Liverpool
Premier League
Monday, 5.30pm
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Radio: talkSPORT
