'Best in the world': Thomas Frank heaps praise on Liverpool as Brentford boss lays out plan

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Liverpool travel to Brentford on Saturday afternoon as the Reds continue to push for the Premier League title.

Arne Slot’s side have had a small dip in form in recent weeks, winning just one of their last four matches in all competitions, and drawing their two previous league encounters.

Liverpool disappointed against Man United, however, the Merseyside outfit would have been deserving winners against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday had they found another goal at the City Ground.

With Arsenal clawing back two points on the Reds, Slot’s men would like to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

Liverpool travel to the Gtech Community Stadium without Diogo Jota to face a tricky Brentford side, whose tails are up after coming from 2-0 down to earn a late 2-2 draw with Man City mid-week.

The Bees’ manager Thomas Frank was happy with his team’s performance against the Premier League champions and ahead of their clash with Liverpool, the Danish coach has told the press how he will approach the game with the Reds.

• READ MORE: Thomas Frank hands major blow to Liverpool with latest Bryan Mbeumo comments

Thomas Frank labels Liverpool the ‘best transition team in the world’

Liverpool triumphed over Brentford when the two sides met at Anfield back in August with goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah helping Slot win his first home game in charge of the Reds.

Frank got a good look at the Slot’s ‘dangerous’ Liverpool team that day and having watched footage of the Merseyside club since, the Brentford boss has labelled the Premier League leaders as “the best transition team in the world”.

Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday’s match, Frank spoke about his team’s performance against Man City and his approach to playing Liverpool.

"The [City] game turned out quite open and end-to-end at times, especially with the number of shots we created,” said the Danish coach via Brentfordfc.com. “For us, the performance was so good, in that we were brave when playing out and brave with the high pressure.

“Of course, we'd like to do the same against Liverpool but it will be difficult. We need to be brave again on Saturday, but we also need to be clever to avoid too many defensive transitions.”

When speaking about the game in general, Frank added: “I expect an entertaining game. I expect a game that, at times, will be end-to-end.

"It's about how we can play to our strengths but also acknowledge and be aware of what Liverpool are very good at: they're probably the best transition team in the world.”

Liverpool will need to show their capabilities in transitions again at the Gtech on Saturday as the Bees’ home ground has been a very difficult place for opposition teams to get points this season.

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Brentford trip set to be very difficult for Liverpool

Through 21 matches this season, Brentford’s home record is the third-best in the Premier League with title challengers Liverpool and Arsenal the only two teams with better records.

The Bees have picked up 23 points from 11 games at the Gtech Community Stadium, which has the London club one point behind the Gunners and level with the Merseyside club.

This is an incredible achievement with the budget Brentford have but on the other hand, Slot’s men are the best team away from home with the 24 points they have picked up on the road being the best in the Premier League.

This sets up an intriguing clash in West London on Saturday, where the likes of Liverpool-linked Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will look to deal a blow to the Reds title hopes.