With calls for Arne Slot to turn to the likes of Federico Chiesa, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez as his usual side struggles, the head coach gave little encouragement.
Liverpool have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions, but despite their clear woes Slot has by and large used the same squad throughout.
As the likes of Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate struggle for consistency in form, there are growing calls for the head coach to turn to his wider squad – namely Chiesa, Endo and Gomez.
When asked during his pre-West Ham press conference whether he could consider shuffling his pack to serve as a jolt to his side, Slot was far from convincing.
“I think you consider everything,” he replied.
“Until now I’ve decided differently, but they train with us every single day and they can prove themselves in those moments.
“It’s always a balance, if you don’t change people think you should change more.
“I think there was a period of this season where we lost and people complained about the fact I made a few changes too many, and there was never any time the same team.
“Of course I consider it, but I can’t tell you what the end product of that consideration is for Sunday yet.”
Why Gomez didn’t start against PSV
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Joe Gomez before the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
During the last 12 games the only time any Chiesa, Gomez or Endo were trusted to start was alongside each other in the side that lost to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup after 10 changes.
Salah and Gravenberch have started nine of the other 11 while Konate has been an ever-present despite his ongoing crisis in form.
Konate produced another costly error in the 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, which compounded fans’ frustration at Slot not using Gomez, but the head coach has since explained his decision.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté walks to the bench after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“He could have been involved [against PSV] as well in terms of minutes, but when we are 2-1 down or 3-1 down I tend to make offensive substitutions,” Slot said.
“For him to start a game is also definitely a possibility, but Konate didn’t train two days before the game, and then if you don’t have that many defenders to start with, two players that might not be able to play the whole 90 is kind of a risk as well.
“So I decided to keep him [on the bench] for if Ibou was injured and not to have to make two substitutions.”