Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst

Liverpool line-ups as Darwin Nunez starts and Ibrahima Konate plan unfolds for West Ham

Paul Gorst - Thiago and Nunez back in the game

With no real difference in importance in games across the rest of Liverpool’s season, Jurgen Klopp will simply be looking to finish strongly and see where his team land in the Premier League.

The Reds boss has named the same line-up for the last three matches - the first time he has done so since 2020 - but will it be four tonight at the London Stadium?

The Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment continues with the right-back named alongside Ibrahima Konate, if passed fit, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson in the back four.

In midfield, there’s a start for Thiago Alcantara next to Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. Curtis Jones can rest up, despite impressing in recent weeks.

Up top, Cody Gakpo can drop out for Darwin Nunez. I’m keeping Diogo Jota on the left and Mohamed Salah in his usual spot.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Jota.

READ MORE: Is West Ham vs Liverpool on TV? Kick-off time and live stream details

READ MORE: Frank Lampard speaks out on Mason Mount future amid Liverpool transfer links

Ian Doyle - Nunez starts with defensive decision to be made

The final trip to London this season for Liverpool. And having stuck with the same team for a few games, it's time for some rotation from Jurgen Klopp.

Or at least that's what I'd be doing for the Premier League clash at West Ham United this evening.

If Ibrahima Konate is patched up, then I'd have him still at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. If not, Joe Gomez can come in.

The rest of the defence remains the same, which means Alisson Becker in goal, Andy Robertson at left-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right. I'd actually keep him there for this one, too, rather than his new inverted role.

That's because midfield will see changes. Fabinho can stay as the anchor, and to the left of him, Thiago Alcantara can come in. Curtis Jones can shift across and play on the right.

Up top, Darwin Nunez replaces Cody Gakpo down the middle, with in-form Diogo Jota on the left and Mohamed Salah on the other flank.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate/Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Jones, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Jota.

Sean Bradbury - New formation stays but several changes to side

The easy bit first. Liverpool should stick to the 3-2-2-3 which has reignited Trent Alexander-Arnold and shown promising signs in recent games.

Then the hard question. Is it time for some changes within that system?

With slight doubts around Ibrahima Konate's situation, Joe Gomez will be poised to slot into the back three unless the Frenchman is passed fit. West Ham will pose a significant aerial threat so Gomez must be up for the challenge if called upon.

Fabinho remains in the double pivot alongside Alexander-Arnold. Jordan Henderson is benched for this one though, after featuring for almost every minute of the last five matches.

This is where things get radical. Curtis Jones retains one of the attacking midfield positions - with Cody Gakpo tried out in the other. He has excelled so far when tasked with dropping deep and his height will be an advantage at both ends of the pitch. Let's see how it goes.

That means a front three of the undroppable Diogo Jota on the left, Darwin Nunez central and Mohamed Salah taking his usual place.

My team (3-2-2-3): Alisson; Konate/Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho; Gakpo, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Jota.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.