A look at the changes Jurgen Klopp could make to his Liverpool line-up for the Premier League clash at home to West Ham United on Sunday
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday as they host West Ham United.
Liverpool won 3-1 in their Europa League opener at LASK Linz on Thursday with Jurgen Klopp making 11 changes for the trip to Austria. But did any of his players do enough to retain their places? We take a look at the side he could pick to face the Hammers…
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold fit?
Having missed Liverpool’s last two games with a hamstring injury, Trent Alexander-Arnold was said to be targeting a return against West Ham as a best-case scenario.
However, not pictured in open training on Wednesday, the England International faces a race against time to prove his fitness.
If unavailable, Joe Gomez will return at right-back, with Andy Robertson also set to reclaim his place on the opposing flank. Virgil van Dijk will continue at centre-back, having now served his two-game suspension, with Ibrahima Konate likely to be given the nod alongside him ahead of Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah.
All change in midfield
Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott were handed their first starts of the season against LASK, while Wataru Endo was handed his second start since joining the club. While the former pair impressed at times, and the Japan international ultimately struggled.
But while Gravenberch and Elliott both staked their claims to keep their starting roles, a return to the midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones seems more likely. If not, the Dutchman is arguably best-placed to be handed a full Premier League debut following his deadline day move from Bayern Munich.
Stefan Bajcetic will continue to be managed carefully after making his first appearance for six months as an invested right-back in Austria, while Thiago Alcantara is yet to return to team training.
Darwin and Diaz delivered
Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz both delivered after starting against LASK, scoring a goal each with the latter winning a penalty. Consequently, both will have every right to feel aggrieved if either drop out of Klopp’s starting XI.
Mohamed Salah will start after scoring from a rare appearance off the bench in Austria, with the aforementioned trio Liverpool’s joint-leading scorers this season.
Should they all indeed start, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota will continue on the bench after starting last weekend against Wolves.
Possible Liverpool XI vs West Ham: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
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