Liverpool's final-day trip to Brentford is being shaped more by selection calls than by the fixture itself. Mohamed Salah is the biggest fitness question, Alisson and Alexander Isak are both trying to come through late recovery work, and there is still hope that Liverpool can give Jordan Henderson a proper Anfield farewell.

Why Salah's availability matters most

Salah has made 26 Premier League appearances this season, and his availability matters even with Liverpool's season winding down. Arne Slot said, "Ali will train with us today, so that's positive. Alex (Isak) trains for the first time with us today - parts of what we are going to do. So, to a certain extent, both positive."

That is cautious rather than encouraging language. Alisson has not played for Liverpool in two months, while Isak missed two of Liverpool's last three games. Slot can point to training progress, but he is still not offering anything close to a clean bill of health.

Salah's own intervention on Henderson was the other sharp line in the build-up. "I don't know how the club is going to manage it, I have no plan but I really wish they do something special for him," he said. "He has been one of the best players at this club and without him, we don't achieve what we achieved."

That plea matters because Henderson has already made two cameos from the bench. Liverpool still have to decide whether this is the moment to give him a fuller send-off, and Salah has made the club's missed farewell hard to ignore.

What Liverpool still have to manage

The wider picture is not just about sentiment. Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League on 59 points, so the final game still carries table significance. There is nothing ceremonial about the selection work Slot has ahead of him, even if Henderson's possible return to Anfield is the emotional thread that will grab the attention.

Brentford arrive eighth with 52 points, which leaves them with their own reason to treat the game seriously. For Liverpool, though, the real decision sits around who is ready to play, who needs protecting, and whether one last home-day nod for Henderson fits into that plan.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →