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
Vladimir Coufal is side-lined after undergoing groin surgery, while Angelo Ogbonna (ACL) is out for the rest of the season.
Ryan Fredericks (groin) remains doubtful for the midweek clash.
The Scottish tactician will probably opt for his usual 4-2-3-1 formation against Liverpool; however, he is expected to make a couple of changes from the last game for the upcoming away encounter as Nikola Vlasic and Said Benrahma and Lukasz Fabianski look likely to make their way back into the starting eleven.
4-2-3-1 West Ham United Predicted Lineup Vs Liverpool
Defence
Lukasz Fabianski will operate in between the sticks for the away side. The Polish international will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Sunday.
Craig Dawson will form the customary centre-half partnership with Kurt Zouma at the heart of West Ham’s backline.
Ben Johnson should be a starter at the right wing-back spot, whereas Aaron Cresswell will start on the other flank as the left wing-back. Up against the Reds, the full-backs will be expected to stay compact defensively.
The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency:
Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/)
Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/)
Midfield
Tomas Soucek will continue to feature alongside Declan Rice in the holding midfield position, with the latter being assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the away side’s back-four.
Said Benrahma will slot in the attacking midfield position to complete the midfield trio. The Algeria international will be determined to engineer some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Manuel Lanzini will have to settle for a place on the bench but might come in the latter stages of the game if needed.
Attack
Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen are expected to take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing respectively.
Michail Antonio is expected to lead the line for the visitors against Jurgen Klopp’s men this weekend. The Englishman will be hoping to make the most of his chances when he faces off against the Liverpool defence that has conceded just two goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
