Liverpool host Brentford as they look to end a difficult season by clinching Champions League qualification, with Mohamed Salah set to bid farewell to the club.
A draw will be enough for Liverpool to seal their place in next season’s Champions League. However, given their goal difference advantage over sixth-placed Bournemouth, the Reds are likely to qualify regardless of the result.
The game will be Salah’s last in a Liverpool shirt, while full-back Andrew Robertson will also say farewell to Anfield.
Yet it is unclear whether Salah will get the chance to make an appearance as he ends a storied career at the club.
Salah published a damning post on social media following Liverpool’s 4-2 loss at Aston Villa last time out, calling for Liverpool to return to being a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear”.
In his response, Slot was diplomatic, saying that he and Salah both “want the best for this club”.
However, when asked if Salah would be involved in his goodbye game, Slot replied: “I never say anything about team selection.”
Regardless of Salah or Robertson’s involvement, Brentford will be looking to put something of a dampener on those send-offs as they seek to seal European football for the first time in their history.
The Bees’ destiny is out of their own hands after Chelsea’s win over Tottenham saw them fall out of the top eight of the Premier League.
Even victory at Anfield will not be enough for Brentford if Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea both win their respective games against Manchester United and Sunderland. A draw is likely to be insufficient.
And Brentford boss Keith Andrews knows his side will need to be at their best to cap an impressive season with an historic achievement.
“It would make it a remarkable season, considering where we started from,” Andrews said. “To navigate through the season and come out the end to have that potential outcome is pretty special.
“But we’re going to have to produce a special performance to get that.
“We just want to approach it like we do most games; we’ll have our game plan, what we do with and without the ball, and try to hurt them in areas we feel we can.
“But, equally, we’re aware of the strengths that they have.”
Team news for Liverpool v Brentford
Goalkeeper Alisson and British-record signing Alexander Isak both returned to training for Liverpool on Friday.
Brentford are without Rico Henry (hamstring), Antoni Milambo (knee) and Fabio Carvalho (knee).
