Liverpool will lock horns with West Ham United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, hoping to pick up all three points and pile the pressure on league leaders Manchester City. The Hammers will be heading into the game on the back of a 3-1 loss to Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup competition, whereas the Reds recorded an encouraging 2-1 victory over Norwich City.
Team News
Roberto Firmino (muscular problem), Thiago Alcantara (hamstring) and Curtis Jones (thigh) remain as doubts for the upcoming fixture. Jones felt a slight ache in his thigh during the FA Cup victory over the Canaries.
“Another really top performance was Curtis, who played a really good first half, but we had to take him off as he felt the thigh slightly,” said Jurgen Klopp.
“I don’t think it is a real injury but there was no need to take a risk.”
The German tactician will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. Harvey Elliott might get the nod over Curtis Jones in midfield, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs West Ham United
Defence
Alisson Becker should operate between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Sunday.
Joel Matip will form the centre-half partnership with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s backline.
Andrew Robertson is a guaranteed starter at the left wing-back position, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold will fill in on the other flank as the right wing-back. The full-backs will be expected to stretch their side’s attack in the opposition half.
Konstantinos Tsimikas will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could be brought on in the latter stages of the game if needed.
Midfield
Fabinho might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Harvey Elliott and Naby Keita will slot into the central midfield roles. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Attack
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Diogo Jota will lead the line against West Ham United this weekend. The Portugal international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Hammers defence that has conceded six goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
Luis Diaz could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the match.
