Liverpool might want to put Sunday’s dour draw towards Manchester United behind them and prepared themselves for the go to of West Ham United within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, although the problems are beginning to mount for supervisor Jurgen Klopp.
Ryan Gravenberch was pressured off through the 0-0 Anfield encounter within the Premier League and is anticipated to be sidelined till the brand new 12 months, compounding the absence of Alexis Mac Allister – who’s convalescing after a stamp from Sheffield United’s Vinicius Souza earlier in December penetrated the muscle.
Lengthy-term absentees Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara are nonetheless absent, and with first-placed Arsenal travelling to Merseyside on Saturday, Klopp must stability the workload at this important festive interval.
With this in thoughts, Soccer FanCast predicts that Klopp may make 5 adjustments for the fixture towards David Moyes’ facet.
1
GK – Caoimhin Kelleher
Alisson has not been within the squad for both of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup matches this time period and it’s possible that Klopp will maintain the religion in Caoimhin Kelleher, who has performed 9 instances this time period.
Whereas the Brazilian is indisputably Liverpool’s finest goalkeeper, Kelleher is a reliable backup and might be determined to show his price on an enormous night time for the Reds, as they give the impression of being to maneuver one step nearer to reclaiming some silverware.
2
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
There’s a risk that Joe Gomez will deputise down the fitting flank on Wednesday night time, however Klopp will wish to preserve a first-team core all through his squad and Trent Alexander-Arnold might be amongst these prone to begin.
The 25-year-old has been the inventive fulcrum this season and has posted two targets and 5 assists throughout all competitions, with The Athletic’s James Pearce heralding his “sensational” skill.
3
CB – Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah might be anticipated to return to the beginning line-up to offer the £70k-per-week Ibrahima Konate, who has been described as a “monster” by author Charlotte Coates, a break forward of the competition towards the Gunners on the weekend.
The 20-year-old broke into the primary crew within the early section of the present marketing campaign and appears like he may cement a beginning spot within the Reds crew sooner or later, each commanding and composed on the coronary heart of the backline.
With Joel Matip rupturing his ACL earlier this month, it is actually an excellent factor that the titan has emerged from the academy ranks.
4
CB – Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk will accomplice Quansah in entrance of Kelleher’s objective to deliver some expertise towards the in-form Jarrod Bowen, who has scored ten league targets this season and located a house as West Ham’s centre-forward.
The Dutchman has been again to his imperious finest for the reason that summer season and might be essential in guaranteeing Liverpool achieve establishing management.
5
LB – Kostas Tsimikas
With Andy Robertson nonetheless injured after dislocating his shoulder with Scotland in October, Kostas Tsimikas is prone to begin as soon as once more towards West Ham.
The Greece worldwide has demonstrated enhancements lately however Robertson’s absence continues to be felt down the left channel.
6
DM – Wataru Endo
A shock £16m summer season signing from Stuttgart, Wataru Endo has began the previous three Premier League matches in Mac Allister’s absence and can seemingly anchor the midfield in midweek.
The Japan captain, aged 30, is just not fairly the long-term successor to Fabinho’s place within the crew however he’s industrious and clever, and his vitality might be essential in stifling a gifted Hammers engine room.
7
CM – Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott lately claimed that he needs to shake off the ‘tremendous sub’ tag and begin taking part in from the outset within the Premier League with regularity, with the creativity and innovation that he brings one thing that has lacked within the Liverpool crew over latest weeks.
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Dominik Szoboszlai was abject towards Manchester United and branded with a 4/10 match score by the Liverpool Echo’s Paul Joyce; he’ll seemingly begin towards Arsenal however right here Elliott has a golden alternative to stake his declare to a extra distinguished function within the squad.
8
CM – Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones was pivotal to Liverpool’s late-season resurgence earlier than the summer season and began robust all through August and September, main Pearce to notice his “flying begin“.
Suspension and harm have derailed his progress currently however he stays a crisp and energetic member of the midfield, along with his technical abilities essential to quelling the Hammers menace.
As per FBref, the Englishman ranks among the many prime 2% of midfielders throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for go completion, the highest 5% for assists, the highest 16% for tackles, the highest 14% for progressive carries and the highest 10% for profitable take-ons per 90.
9
RW – Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has solely scored one objective from his previous 5 Premier League appearances however has 22 direct objective contributions from 23 matches this time period and is definitely probably the greatest forwards on the earth.
He has additionally scored ten targets and provided 4 assists from simply 13 video games towards the Hammers, profitable 11 instances.
10
LW – Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo simply hasn’t actually obtained going within the Premier League this season, scoring twice from 15 appearances (seven begins) and creating simply 0.4 key passes per recreation.
He is been a sufferer of his personal versatility however have to be unleashed on the left wing tomorrow; he is additionally scored in each of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clashes this season.
11
CF – Darwin Nunez
The nice work that Darwin Nunez put in throughout the opening months of the season seems to have unravelled lately, with the Uruguayan at the moment and not using a objective in ten video games.
He stays a livewire because the arrowhead, nevertheless, and Klopp maintains the idea that the cogs will mix sooner quite than later.
It will be nice if he discovered a wealthy vein of type to cost his membership’s exploits over the rest of the gruelling winter interval.
Liverpool predicted line-up in full vs West Ham: (GK) Caoimhin Kelleher; (RB) Trent Alexander-Arnold, (CB) Jarell Quansah, (CB) Virgil van Dijk, (LB) Kostas Tsimikas; (DM) Wataru Endo, (CM) Harvey Elliott, (CM) Curtis Jones; (RW) Mohamed Salah, (CF) Darwin Nunez, (LW) Cody Gakpo.