Liverpool XI vs. West Ham: Wirtz Successor Named—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

Liverpool continue their hunt for Champions League qualification when they welcome West Ham United to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds were lucky winners at Nottingham Forest last weekend as Alexis Mac Allister’s last-gasp strike sealed a crucial victory which moved them level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea. Finishing in the top five is almost certainly enough to qualify for Europe’s premier competition this season.

The resurgent Hammers will cause Liverpool issues but the expectation is three more points for Arne Slot’s side, who were victorious in the reverse fixture back in late November.

Liverpool Without Star Playmaker

Florian Wirtz’s endless creativity was sorely missed by Liverpool at the City Ground last weekend, the German playmaker pulling his back in the warm-up, after initially being named in the starting XI. Curtis Jones was his emergency replacement but failed to emulate the summer signing.

Slot has since confirmed that Wirtz won’t be available for Saturday’s game and the Dutchman was unable to provide a timeframe for the attacking midfielder’s comeback.

Wirtz is not the only absentee for the game. Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are the other players sidelined through injury for West Ham’s visit, but the positive news is that Jeremie Frimpong is back after five matches in the treatment room—although he’s unlikely to start against the Hammers.

⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni.
🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. West Ham

GK: Alisson—While his distribution was consistently wayward at Forest, Alisson still produced one particularly crucial save early doors to ensure Liverpool didn’t fall behind.

RB: Joe Gomez—Having now made three cameos from the bench, Gomez appears ready for a first start since injury. Frimpong’s return is a major boost for the Reds but he’s unlikely to be thrust straight back into the action given his injury record this season.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—A commanding presence since returning from compassionate leave, the Frenchman has found form at the perfect juncture for the Reds.

CB: Virgil van Dijk—After scoring against Sunderland and then forcing Mac Allister’s winner last time out, West Ham will need to be on high alert to deny the towering Dutchman from set pieces.

LB: Milos Kerkez—Jarrod Bowen is certain to make life awkward for Kerkez, who has improved since the turn of the year but remains an unconvincing presence at left back.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—While yet to hit the heights achieved last season, Gravenberch remains a steady performer in the engine room despite being overworked by his manager.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—That’s now three goals in six games for Mac Allister, the Argentine offering hope of a timely renaissance after a frustrating campaign to date.

RW: Mohamed Salah—After threatening a purple patch of form after his display in the FA Cup fourth round, Salah was back to anonymity at Forest—a dire display even meriting an early substitution.

AM: Dominik Szoboszlai—The continued absence of Wirtz should offer Szoboszlai a necessary return to the attacking midfield role. Liverpool’s undisputed player of the season is wasted as emergency right back cover.

LW: Cody Gakpo—The clamor for Rio Ngumoha to displace Gakpo is growing, especially after last weekend’s impressive cameo from the teenager, but Slot has shown unwavering commitment to his compatriot. Gakpo desperately needs a goal against an opponent he’s scored six in eight against.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liverpool XI vs. West Ham: Wirtz Successor Named—Injury News, Predicted Lineup.

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