Klopp drops ‘special’ forward, and £20m man finally starts again: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs West Ham

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Liverpool have a midweek game this week as they take on West Ham United at the London Stadium.

The trip to the capital represents an opportunity for the Reds to win a third Premier League game in a row. That hasn’t happened too often this season, and with the Hammers in good form, it may be a tough ask again.

Nevertheless, Liverpool should have their tails up as they make one last push to get into the Champions League places. Here’s the XI we think Jurgen Klopp will put out.

Defence

Alisson Becker didn’t have his best game of all time against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but he’ll 1,000 per cent be on the team sheet again tomorrow.

Joining him – and continuing in his new hybrid midfield role – will be Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as Andy Robertson at left-back.

Although rotation may be needed with three games in a week, Klopp probably still has to go with his strongest side now. In normal circumstances, that would mean Ibrahima Konate at centre-back next to Virgil van Dijk. However, Klopp has admitted that Konate is carrying a slight knock, so we think Joel Matip comes in here. Van Dijk should play.

Midfield

Having played the same midfield for the last four games, we think Jurgen will finally change things slightly here. Fabinho is walking the tight-rope of a yellow card induced suspension but is still likely to face the Hammers.

We also see the benefit in continuing with Curtis Jones, given that he’s found a little late-season form.

However, a change should come with Thiago Alcantara finally starting a first game since early February. It hasn’t been a vintage campaign for the £20m signing from Bayern Munich. But there’s still time to make a difference.

Attack

Klopp has another decision to make in attack, and once again we think he’ll twist. After their goal scoring displays against Forest, we think Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota will both continue.

But instead of playing down the left, we can see Jota coming in-field to accommodate Darwin Nunez on the wing.

Cody Gakpo may feel hard done by, but the ‘special’ Dutchman just couldn’t get into the game at Forest and Nunez deserves his chance. Still a little rusty, Luis Diaz will likely be utilised only from the bench.