Liverpool picked up a comfortable win against Norwich City in the FA Cup in midweek and now they shift their focus to the Premier League where they take on West Ham United.
The Reds have been able to claw back the huge gap at the top of the table thanks to City dropping some valuable points and going into this weekend’s game, Liverpool are just six points behind Man City and they also have a game in hand.
The Anfield outfit are obviously favourites to pick up a win on Saturday but West Ham United have been in great form this season and they are still in the race for a top-four finish. This is not the Hammers of old so Jurgen Klopp’s side will have their work cut out this weekend.
Liverpool have to face Inter next week in the Champions League so Klopp will surely have one eye on that game as well but that won’t stop him from naming his best starting line up on Saturday. Klopp’s men have been in fine form at home this season but when these two sides met at the London Stadium earlier this month, West Ham United came out as the 3-2 winners.
The Reds need to win this one at any cost or else they will remain six points behind Manchester City in the title race and despite City’s recent dip in form, we don’t see them throwing away a six-point lead in their remaining matches.
Liverpool team news vs West Ham United:
Klopp had the chance to rest several of his first-team players in midweek but all of them will come back into the side this weekend.
Van Dijk and Joel Matip will reprise their roles in central defence while Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold will replace Tsimikas and James Milner as the two full-backs.
One down… pic.twitter.com/HqPHZoVLCj
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) February 28, 2022
Thiago remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and the Spaniard is likely not going to be available for the West Ham United game.
Klopp had said on Monday: “We don’t know exactly how long [he will be out]. For the weekend, not sure. Maybe Milan? But after that, definitely. He is fine again but he is not fit.”
With Thiago set to miss out, the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be pushing for a start on Saturday.
Firmino is the only other injury doubt as the Brazilian is recovering from a groin injury. There’s a chance he might be fit for the weekend but we doubt if he will get to start.
Diogo Jota played 84 minutes on the left wing against Norwich in midweek so Luis Diaz should be coming into the side against the Hammers. Sadio Mane and Mo Salah will also return to the first XI, replacing Origi and Minamino.
The Liverpool players are properly rested will is a big boost for the manager and if they can shift gears quickly and find a proper sync then we don’t think West Ham United can match up to their class.
Liverpool’s predicted line up vs West Ham United:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-3-3): Alisson; Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold; Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita/Oxlade-Chamberlain; Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah.
UPDATE:
Liverpool have several doubts going into the West Ham United. Thiago and Bobby Firmino were already major doubts but as per the manager, the likes of Joel Matip, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita have all joined this ill-fated list.
The manager said in his press conference: “Thiago will not be available for tomorrow.
“Curtis is not bad but if it is good enough to go again tomorrow, I don’t know.
“Joel Matip is ill – no COVID, nowadays you can be ill in different ways as well – so he will not be available. Bobby is looking good but not good enough for the weekend. I think the plan is that he trains on Sunday, first time. That sounds then doable for Tuesday.”
