Image Credits: Imago Images
Sunday’s clash between West Ham and Liverpool at the London Stadium carries huge implications for both clubs, but perhaps none more so than for Arne Slot.
The embattled Liverpool boss is clinging to his job after suffering nine defeats in their last twelve matches, a run that has plunged the reigning champions into 12th place and their worst spell in over 70 years.
Pundits have suggested the Dutchman has just three games to save his job, with West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds representing a make-or-break sequence.
West Ham, meanwhile, have enjoyed a mini-resurgence under Nuno Espírito Santo, picking up seven points from their last three matches to ease relegation fears.
The Hammers have won just one of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Liverpool, but the visitors’ vulnerability on the road — five consecutive away defeats against London opposition — offers genuine hope. Kick-off is at 14:05 GMT.
Ahead of the clash, both sides are battling with injuries.
Hugo Ekitike – Doubt
The striker was substituted during Liverpool’s 4-1 capitulation to PSV Eindhoven after suffering a back injury that troubled him throughout the match.
Slot described Ekitike as a doubt for Sunday, revealing the forward struggled with pain from early in the game and eventually couldn’t continue.
Conor Bradley – Out
The right-back remains sidelined with a muscular problem sustained on international duty. Bradley is expected to only return in December at the earliest.
Jeremie Frimpong – Out
Frimpong has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury. He is likewise slated for a return in mid-December.
Giovanni Leoni – Out
The young centre-back suffered an ACL rupture and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Florian Wirtz – Doubt
Liverpool’s record signing missed training sessions earlier in the week, but is expected to return sooner than Bradley.
Manager Arne Slot will likely provide a clear update in his pre-West Ham press conference on Thursday at 3PM GMT.
Joe Gomez – Doubt
The versatile defender is managing knee discomfort and may need to be handled carefully ahead of Sunday.
Arne Slot admitted ahead of PSV that he needed injections for the pain and did not train with the group earlier this week.
Lukasz Fabianski – Out
The veteran goalkeeper remains sidelined with a back injury and is not expected to feature this weekend. Alphonse Areola continues as first choice in his absence.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – Doubt
The Greek defender has been out of action since October with a thigh injury and missed the Hammers’ last game against Bournemouth
Oliver Scarles – Out
The young midfielder is recovering from a collarbone surgery and remains unavailable. Scarles has been ruled out for the foreseeable future as he continues his rehabilitation.
Crysencio Summerville – Doubt
The winger missed West Ham’s draw with Bournemouth due to a calf issue but has reportedly returned to training this week.
The former Leeds attacker will be a big boost for the East London side should he be able to prove his fitness.
Niclas Füllkrug – Doubt
The German striker has missed West Ham’s last four matches with a torn thigh muscle sustained before the October international break.
While Füllkrug has returned to partial training, he remains short of full sharpness.
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