Liverpool find themselves under threat of being dragged into the relegation picture as they head to West Ham on Sunday.
The Reds have been in woeful form in recent months, and incredibly sit only five points above the drop zone. Defeat at West Ham would pull them closer to that.
For Arne Slot, another loss could potentially cost him the Liverpool job, and he should be doing everything in his power to ensure winning ways return.
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Will defeat to West Ham be the end of Arne Slot at Liverpool?
Arne Slot puts his hand over his face during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League loss against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
That isn’t going to be easy against a Hammers side who look to have turned a corner under Nuno Espirito Santo.
As Slot prepares for what could be his last roll of the dice, here’s the XI we expect him to pick to help save his job.
Defence
After missing Wednesday’s debacle against PSV Eindhoven, Slot confirmed on Thursday that Alisson Becker is set to return at the weekend. His comeback will be a welcome one.
Right-back has become one of the biggest issues within the Liverpool squad this season, and although Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai have moonlighted between them over the last two games, Slot should bring back a more orthodox option here. Joe Gomez should get the nod.
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool acknowledges the fans after the team's victory during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at Frankfurt Stadion.
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
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Gomez’s inclusion unfortunately means Ibrahima Konate is likely to keep his place in the team despite some of the worst performances from a Liverpool player in living memory. Virgil van Dijk will start as he hopes to atone for his penalty error against PSV.
Left-back is up for debate as well. Milos Kerkez did fine in midweek, but Andy Robertson is first choice at the moment and should come back in.
Midfield
Given his lack of trust in Endo, Slot does not have a whole lot of ways he can change up a Liverpool midfield which has looked dreadfully short of its best recently.
However, Gomez playing does free up both Szoboszlai and Jones and having been two of the Reds better players on Wednesday, both should start at the London Stadium.
Who claims the third spot is likely to hinge on the fitness of Florian Wirtz. The German appears to be back in training for Liverpool, but may not be ready to start. Ryan Gravenberch has not been in good form of late, but he is the most likely candidate instead.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs West Ham
Would you make any changes?
Liverpool's predicted XI vs West Ham
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs West Ham
Attack
Liverpool’s attack has been misfiring badly of late, and injury to Hugo Ekitike in midweek only looked to have made matters worse.
Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah both love playing against West Ham, though, and Sunday could be the ideal time for their partnership to start in earnest. Both are set to feature.
The one remaining position is where Slot must change things up. Cody Gakpo has been desperately bad of late but has been keeping his place on the left of the forward line regardless.
Slot can score an easy win with supporters by bringing Federico Chiesa in for his first ever Premier League start, and it makes complete sense that the Dutchman would do it. Chiesa’s time has to be now, if not, then it will simply be never.
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