Brentford

As transfer deadline day looms, what do Brentford need to do before it's too late? Or are you happy with where things are up to?

Tell us here, external

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The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the second-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

The seven English clubs involved in European competitions this season, including holders Liverpool, will enter at the third-round stage.

Ties will take place on weeks commencing 16 and 23 September.

Because there are rounds of Champions League and Europa League fixtures also scheduled for those two midweeks, the six clubs involved in those competitions - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United - will be kept apart to ensure they can fulfil their Carabao Cup tie in the alternate midweek to their European fixture.

Those six clubs will take part in a pre-draw before Forest v Newcastle to decide if they will be at home or away in the third round, with a main draw determining the 16 ties later in the evening.

Should Chelsea progress to the next phase of the Conference League, they will not be in action in that competition again until the start of October.

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BBC Sport football news reporter Nick Mashiter says Ivan Toney "has got a lot of thinking to do" in the remaining days of the transfer window.

Does he stay at Brentford and run his contract out, or does he make the switch to Saudi Arabia?

Chelsea are also the latest Premier League club to register their interest in him in recent days.

"You have to look at the long-term prospect and if he wants to stay in the England squad then we have seen what happened to Jordan Henderson," Mashiter said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"The standards will be lower over there [Saudi Arabia], but if he goes to Chelsea then he is still here playing at a top level and will be someone Lee Carsley will consider.

"But there is still every chance he stays at Brentford and sees his contract out. Then he can have the pick of the clubs next summer without the £50m price tag around his neck.

"He has got a lot of thinking to do, and while he is still playing at Brentford and in the Premier League, he is still in a really good position. It should not be overlooked that if he chooses to stay he has still got the opportunity to impress and have the pick of many sides next summer."

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Chelsea have made a move to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney, though the Blues will not be able to match the wages on offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. (Sky Sports), external

Toney could reportedly earn up to £400,000 a week in Saudi Arabia. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup second-round tie at Colchester United (19:45 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• New signings Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg will start against Colchester, with Yunus Emre Konak and Ji-soo Kim also available.

• Frank said "we have nothing to say" about striker Ivan Toney amid ongoing transfer rumours and he "didn't know" about a reported bid from Nottingham Forest for Yoane Wissa being rejected on Tuesday morning because he was "out training".

• On Gustavo Nunes, who the Bees have been linked with: "Guiding principles is a nice way of putting it, no matter what way it goes. I only talk about players in depth after we sign them but there has been a lot of rumours about him."

• He said Brentford "really want to go on a cup run" this season but Colchester will be "tricky and difficult" opponents.

• On their chances of winning the competition: "It is becoming more and more difficult for smaller clubs to compete against bigger clubs and that is not a good trend."

• On what he expects from the League Two opposition: "They will set the team up to do everything they can to disrupt us. It is up to us to be on it and perform and do our best to win. We lost to Gillingham last year and so I am fully aware of what is waiting for us. It will be difficult."

• He said his side are "feeling good" following the defeat at Liverpool on Sunday. Frank added: "Looking back, there were bits where we need to do better but there were also a lot of positives against a very good Liverpool side at Anfield."

Follow the rest of Tuesday's football news

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Maybe I should stop going to watch Brentford play at Anfield.

I’ve now been to six Bees games there – we’ve lost the lot and not scored a single goal, at least not one which has been allowed anyway.

Sunday’s match with Liverpool had a feeling of inevitability about it from the minute Luis Diaz put them in front early on.

Despite the goal, Brentford matched our hosts in the first half, but sure enough the Reds stepped it up after the break and at 2-0 it was game over.

Even though it is our fourth season in the Premier League, games like this are still special for many of us longer-term Bees fans. After years of watching us in the lower two divisions, to see Brentford play in one of the world’s most famous stadiums in front of 60,000+ fans has a magical feeling about it, even if you know that nine times out of 10 we are going to lose.

As we already had three points in the bank from the win over Crystal Palace, and also because it was early in the season, there was no pressure on the Bees on Sunday, and that was reflected in our early play.

That relaxed feeling was also evident on the touchline, where our recent signings from Liverpool – Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, who both started on the bench – hugged and chatted to their old team-mates as they all warmed up on the touchline.

Both could play a big part in red and white stripes this season.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Frank Onyeka wants to leave Brentford but will need to be permitted to exit on loan if he is to pursue interest from Spanish clubs, including Valencia, before the transfer deadline.

As it stands, the 26-year-old Nigeria midfielder, who is seeking more game time away from west London, would only be allowed to leave on a permanent transfer.

Valencia, Valladolid and Las Palmas have all registered serious interest in Onyeka - who made late substitute appearances against Crystal Palace and Liverpool this season.

But the three Spanish clubs can only afford to sign him on a season-long loan deal and would also need help to pay a portion of his wages.

Italian club Lecce and Russian giants CSKA Moscow have also made loan bids in the past few months.

Onyeka’s primary motivation to leave Brentford is to become a regular starter after over a year on the bench under manager Thomas Frank.

Brentford have opened talks with Besiktas over English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 31, with Ajax also interested. (SportsDigitale - in Turkish), external

Brentford are interested in Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode, although other clubs also want the 20-year-old. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Thomas Frank says a cup run is a priority for his Brentford side this season.

In Frank's time in west London, Brentford have reached the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, and they start their latest campaign at League two outfit Colchester on Wednesday.

"It ranks high," Frank said. "It's a tournament we have done well in. We really want to go on a cup run. We play three games this week so, of course, I will use the squad but I will play a strong team.

"I want to progress, with all due respect to Colchester, who I know will do everything they can to win the game."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ken: A composed performance against an obdurate opponent. Unlike yesteryear, there wasn't any chance of this Liverpool team relinquishing control inexplicably, as the passing and movement was efficient throughout. I quite enjoyed seeing out the game with minimum fuss. Whilst the tempo is quite measured, the dizzying attacking gear is still a sight to behold!

Marilyn: Some beautiful moves and great football! I would have liked more threats on goal late on, with other teams scoring big, but we seemed to settle for two goals instead.

Rex: Brilliant in parts - slick and fluid. We thoroughly deserved the points. My one criticism would be that we need to develop more of a killer instinct. We need to go for the jugular rather than over passing to each other in midfield. I can't help but think that Manchester City would have put more than two goals past them. Nevertheless, very encouraging and often very entertaining.

James: Encouraging start but, with all due respect to Ipswich and Brentford, the fixture list has been kind to us. Harder tests are coming up! We need our two second-half performances for the full 90 minutes - and let's stop talking about the difference between Slot and Klopp!

Brentford fans

Cliff: We were outmatched. We kept running into cul-de-sacs while Liverpool got the upper-hand with their wide passes. I can't believe I'm saying this but Mark Flekken kept us in this game. When are we going to make better use of our midfield talent like Damsgaard and Carvalho?

Jonathan: The Bees can hold their heads up high. There were some good performances and we created problems for Liverpool. Even after going 2-0 down, we didn't let our heads drop. Lots of teams will get nothing on trips to Anfield, so I think Thomas' boys can still look forward with confidence.

Nick: The Bees did well but were hampered by their own pink kit and a referee who gave most 50/50 decisions to Liverpool. The Bees will play worse and win this season - 2-0 away at Anfield is no disgrace.

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"It is a massive week for Brentford and for Ivan Toney," says ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

The Bees striker has not yet agreed a deal to leave the club, but he has been linked to the Saudi Pro League and several English clubs in this transfer window.

BBC Sport understands Brentford have turned down a £35m bid for Toney from Saudi side Al-Ahli.

"I get the impression that he is not totally sold on going to Saudi Arabia," said Ogden on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "But Brentford want the money because he is out of contract next summer.

"It might not be the challenge he wants, but he is 28-years-old and the money is ridiculous. Football fans will say they are all on life-changing money as it is but this really is that. He has not had the smoothest of careers and he has had to work his way to the top.

"I think he has waited until the end of the window just in case a club like Manchester United or Arsenal decided he is too good to miss out on. And I think he is. The fee for him is not massive, but clubs are probably put off because of balancing profit and sustainability rules.

"It is a sad situation and a bit of a mess that Toney might have to leave the Premier League."

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Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

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"I am always happy when the window is shut," said Brentford boss Thomas Frank as he again answered questions about Ivan Toney's future following his side's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.

For the second successive week, England forward Toney did not feature as speculation continues about his future.

Will he be available for next Saturday's home game with Southampton?

"He trained all week and he trained well," added Frank.

Whatever happens to Toney, Brentford remain highly competitive at this level.

This was their ninth straight defeat at Anfield but it was not until Mohamed Salah scored in the 70th-minute that Liverpool could relax.

In Bryan Mbeumo they have a forward who is prepared to put in the hard yards, while Keane Lewis-Potter impressed without reward at Anfield.

There is much to be optimistic about for Brentford this season. Whether Toney is park of their plans remains to be seen.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat to Liverpool: "A game of two halves. We were very good in the first half. I thought it was very even, in the stats and everything. They scored the goal from our mistake which is a situation where you either take the ball or the man, then we also needed to defend the two on two situation better.

"We had a great chance with Christian Norgaard - a free header - and another chance. Our pressing and our overall build-up was good. So it was an even game, maybe our best first half here at Anfield.

"In the second half, Liverpool went up a notch. We still had a good chance through Nathan Collins at 1-0. So we had the chances, but we did not create enough today. In the end, Liverpool win fair and square."

On lessons to learn ahead of three difficult away games: "The first half [we can take into the next games], then [it is about whether] we can take it and build it 60 minutes, then 70 minutes, and so on into a game.

"We just know that Liverpool are a good team. For me Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are the three that are a little bit ahead of everyone else - some of the best teams in Europe.

"We hoped for more. We came here to try and win, but we couldn't do it."

On if his side is missing a main striker: "No. When we beat Liverpool at home a few years ago, we played with [Yoane] Wissa and Bryan [Mbeumo] up front. So, no."

On his current squad: "I think I've got a good squad. We have done some good business, I must admit. There is nothing big I need or want."

On whether Ivan Toney will stay at the club beyond the transfer deadline: "Maybe, I don't know."

Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken has been speaking to Sky Sports following the loss: "It was a tough game. I think we did well in the first half. We had to find our way in the first 15 minutes, but we found our rhythm and then we should have done better on the transition when we conceded.

"It seemed like they stepped their game up in the second half and, from their second goal, it was like a finished game.

"With their offensive forwards, they have you know it is a tough match every time you come here. You prepare yourself to stop as much as possible. I saved some, but I didn't save enough, and we lost the game.

"There are a lot of positive things. We had some good moments with the ball, maybe we should do better at finding that link up to our forwards. That is something to analyse. We have a game on Wednesday so we have a chance to win that."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford have lost all four of their Premier League games at Anfield by an aggregate score of 9-0. Only Birmingham City have played at a particular venue more in the competition without scoring (seven games at Old Trafford).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Liverpool's performance, external

What did you make of Brentford's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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There are three games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week two, he takes on Make Me A Mixtape hosts Clara Amfo and Jordan Stephens.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Brentford have got a goal in them and Ivan Toney is back in training. There is talk of him going to Saudi Arabia. What a tragedy that would be at his age - he has plenty of time left to do that.

It was a really good win for Arne Slot's Liverpool at Ipswich. They had to work for it and he showed his ruthless side by taking defender Jarell Quansah off at half-time and putting Ibrahima Konate on.

Mo Salah looked good - he is ripped and looks fitter than ever. I think Liverpool's attack will be too strong for the Brentford backline but Brentford have a goal in them and I really like Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.

Amfo's prediction: 2-1

Stephens' prediction: 4-2

I have gone for some goals here - well, I have done that with every game really. I'm hoping for some good games, but there is a good chance that so many of these will be goalless.

Read the full predictions and have your say

This season, English top-flight clubs are trialling a new financial system that limits spending based on the earnings of the bottom side, designed to "protect the competitive balance of the Premier League".

Football finance expert Rob Wilson tells The Football News Show why, if permanently introduced, it could make the top Premier League sides less competitive against their European counterparts.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer