On Saturday, Liverpool will welcome West Ham United at Anfield in a bid to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the Premier League title battle. It will, however, be a difficult test against David Moyes’ top-four chasing side, with forced changes from last weekend’s Carabao Cup victory almost certain.
Jurgen Klopp indicated to the media on Friday that he could be without up to five first-team players for the visit of the Hammers.
He said: “We have players who are not available. I’m pretty sure that nobody will tell me differently because yesterday he didn’t train: Thiago will not be available. Joel Matip is ill, not Covid… [but] he will not be available.
“Curtis [Jones], it’s not bad, but if it’s good enough to go again tomorrow – I don’t know. Naby [Keita], we don’t know.
“Bobby [Firmino] is looking good but not good enough for the weekend. I think the plan is that he trains on Sunday, first time in full. It sounds then, like, [he’s] do-able for Tuesday.”
Klopp’s anticipated Liverpool squad to face West Ham at Anfield this weekend is drawn out by Goal Gazette.
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Caoimhin Keller put on a stellar performance in last weekend’s Carabao Cup final and was perhaps unfortunate not to keep his place in the FA Cup win over Norwich City in midweek.
But Alisson returned for the 2-1 triumph at Anfield, and he’ll almost certainly start again when West Ham visit.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
With Matip absent due to sickness, Klopp will want to keep his backline as consistent as possible ahead of a tough match against Jarrod Bowen, one of the league’s most in-form wingers.
Virgil van Dijk will start in central defence, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will return to fullback.
Ibrahima Konate began against Norwich in midweek and is expected to preserve his spot, replacing Matip over Joe Gomez.
Midfield: Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott
With minutes to go in the Carabao Cup final, Thiago was cruelly ruled out; Naby Keita took his position in Klopp’s midfield.
Harvey Elliott likely return to the starting lineup after beginning on the bench in midweek. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson should start again.
Attack: Salah, Diaz, Mane
Klopp made three changes to his attack against Norwich, and he’s expected to make just as many for the West Ham game.
Like in the Carabao Cup final, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane could be his preferred attacking force.