Brentford are ‘the Liverpool of the Championship’ claims Paul Merson.

The former Arsenal and England star made the bold claim on Sky Sports ‘The Debate’ on Monday night.

The Bees are currently fifth in the second tier, but victory over second placed Leeds United at Griffin Park on Tuesday evening would see Thomas Frank’s side leapfrog the Lilywhites and put them right in the mix for an automatic promotion spot.

Referencing the West Londoners’ potent front three of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins, Merson compared them to the Premier League Champions in-waiting’s attack.

"They reminded me of the Liverpool of that league," Merson told Sky Sports. 

"You have to stay with them for 90 minutes. They won't play well for 20-30 minutes, you have to take your chances, because when you slack they'll hurt you. 

"The front three are like the front three at Liverpool if I am honest.

“The front three, for the Championship they are.

“They scored three goals [against Boro] and Middlesbrough probably walked off the pitch and thought 'we played well today' - And you just have to stay with Brentford and it's hard to stay with them for 90 odd minutes.

"They move the ball quickly.

“They have got pace upfront.

“They have got goals in the team, and again, they all know what they are doing.

“They look fresh and they look like they have got legs."

Surrey Comet:

Brentford have the best goal difference in the league with +27, five ahead of league leaders West Brom.

With the attacking threat getting most, if not all, of the headlines, the Bees’ defence often gets overlooked.

This season they boast the sturdiest rear-guard, with the summer arrival of Pontus Jansson from Tuesday’s opponents no coincidence in that statistic, although the Swede has been missing through injury over recent weeks.

Jansson aside, Brentford have no injury doubts ahead of the Leeds United fixture.

READ:Said Benrahma remains focused on Brentford despite Premier League interest