Projected Starting XI for Liverpool in Today’s Match Against West Ham

Liverpool’s Premier League title bid is fading fast, but the Reds still need to bounce back from midweek disappointment when they face West Ham United on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side fell to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday evening, a result that more or less brings his final campaign at Anfield to an incredibly underwhelming conclusion – after fans had been talking about a quadruple in February.

With just four games remaining and Arsenal and Manchester City at an advantage in the title race, Liverpool potentially have very little to play for. But they at least need to restore some pride when they visit east London in Saturday’s lunchtime game. In Klopp’s favourite early kick-off slot, the Reds will need to be far better than they were on Merseyside midweek.

Liverpool can’t blame their recent woes on injuries either, although they are once again without Diogo Jota, but Klopp may well ring the changes at the London Stadium this weekend.

Here is how Liverpool could line up against West Ham.

GK: Alisson – The Brazilian has been one of the few whose performances have been unaffected by Liverpool’s recent slump, and defensive woes mean he may be busy in this one.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – After a great performance against Fulham, the right-back was limited against Everton. However, he still offers Liverpool something unique when it comes to creativity.

CB: Jarell Quansah – Ibrahima Konate was shocking at Goodison Park and is likely to be replaced by young Quansah at West Ham. The 21-year-old was one of Liverpool’s better performers from the bench midweek and was also solid at Craven Cottage last weekend.

CB: Virgil van Dijk – The skipper had an off-day against Everton but remains an irreplaceable member of Liverpool’s backline. He needs to get back to his best swiftly.

LB: Andy Robertson – The Scot has shown some heart in recent weeks, which is more than can be said for some of his teammates, and his attacking thrust will be required down the left flank.

CM: Harvey Elliott – While he has been better from the bench this season, Elliott showed his quality from the start against Fulham. With the likes of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai completely out of form, he should feature against the Irons.

CM: Wataru Endo – The Japan international only came off the bench midweek and his defensive qualities will be required against a West Ham side with some excellent attackers.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch – The Dutchman scored his first Premier League goal last weekend and could be handed a chance to build on that display on Saturday.

RW: Mohamed Salah – Despite being dismal in recent games, it may simply be a case of playing Salah until he hits some form. With Jota injured, Klopp doesn’t have too many options to replace the Egyptian anyway.

ST: Cody Gakpo – The Dutchman has been a rare bright spark among Liverpool’s attacking players in recent weeks, and there is simply no way he can be benched for the misfiring Darwin Nunez.

LW: Luis Diaz – The former Porto man was one of the few Liverpool players who emerged with any credit from the Merseyside derby. He has to start at the London Stadium and play with similar energy.