Liverpool predicted line-ups for West Ham as Divock Origi comes in and Thiago handed start
‘Divock Origi comes in and Kostas Tsimikas keeps his place’
Ian Doyle: West Ham. David Moyes. The London Stadium. Michail Antonio.
It isn’t going to be an easy afternoon for Liverpool as they look for the win that will take them a point behind leaders Chelsea and set a new club record of 26 consecutive games unbeaten in all competitions.
Jurgen Klopp, then, has some decisions to make.
A key one could be at left-back, where Andy Robertson has been put under pressure by Kostas Tsimikas.
And I’d start the Greek given he did well in midweek against Atletico and Robertson has some huge games coming up for his country in the international break. Liverpool will have to play the long game with the Scot.
The rest of the backline is as was – Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk.
Thiago Alcantara could come into the midfield, but I’d want continuity and to stick to the three of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the latter usually doing well at the London Stadium.
Up top, though, I’m foreseeing a surprise change I may well go along with. Divock Origi has started the last two games at West Ham and he can do so again alongside Mohamed Salah – who also loves playing against the Hammers – and Sadio Mane.
Diogo Jota – who will be so important after the international break with Roberto Firmino out – can come off the bench if things aren’t going to plan.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Origi, Mane.
‘Thiago in for Henderson’
Theo Squires: They drew against Chelsea. They drew against Man City. But this time Liverpool really do need to head into an international break off the back of a win, especially after the league-leader’s surprise draw with Burnley yesterday.
Joel Matip is still Virgil van Dijk’s first-choice centre-back partner for me so he keeps his place alongside the Dutchman, with Andy Robertson returning at left-back to complete the tried and trusted back five.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed against AC Milan and has a loved a trip to the London Stadium in the past so he can keep his place too, with Fabinho sitting and Thiago Alcantara getting the nod over Jordan Henderson at the end of what has been a frenetic month for the Reds captain.
In attack Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino’s time will come following Roberto Firmino’s latest injury, and ahead of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s Africa Cup of Nations excursions. But not today.
The Belgian might have started Liverpool’s last two visits to West Ham but Diogo Jota keeps his place to complete what is set to be an undisputed front three for the next month at least.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane.
‘A couple of tweaks’
Joe Rimmer: And so a great chance has presented itself to Liverpool after Chelsea’s draw with Burnley yesterday.
Indeed, Liverpool’s own draw with Brighton doesn’t look all too bad after Burnley’s surprise result at Stamford Bridge.
And now the Reds can close the gap to one point with a victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.
Though that is going to be easier said than done against David Moyes’ high-flying side.
A couple of tweaks will be required.
First, despite the excellent form of Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson offers a little more experience and strength at left-back, so he comes in.
Joel Matip’s performance in midweek should be enough to keep him in the side against the physically impressive Ibrahima Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk.
In midfield, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be given the chance to build on what was an impressive performance against Atletico Madrid in a stadium where he has enjoyed himself previously.
Thiago Alcantara therefore misses out, with Fabinho and Henderson completing my three.
Up front it’s Diogo Jota alongside Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Vir gil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane.
