Image Credits: Imago Images
West Ham United arrive at Anfield in strong form. The Hammers have lost just once in their last six league games and kept two clean sheets in their last three outings.
Their 11 points from the past six matches match the total they earned in the previous 18, highlighting a notable improvement and giving the team reason for optimism.
Manager Nuno Espiríto Santo deserves some credit for this upturn, though he has lost more Premier League games against Liverpool (eight) than against any other side.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have lost just once in their last 19 Premier League meetings with West Ham, winning 15 and drawing three, including seven victories in the last eight since a 3-2 away loss in November 2021.
Florian Wirtz is among eight players ruled out for Liverpool. Slot confirmed the Germany international is unavailable with no set return date. Wirtz was due to start against Nottingham Forest before a back injury forced a late change, with Curtis Jones replacing him.
Jeremie Frimpong is available for the clash at Anfield. The Netherlands international returns after missing the Reds’ last five matches due to injury.
Slot said: “Jeremie is [available]. He trained with us a few times this week so he is available. I don’t expect Florian to be available so that’s a disappointment, of course.
“Every time a player is not available it’s a disappointment and it’s also something I didn’t expect after last week but that’s sometimes how things can evolve and unfortunately this time not in a positive way.”
When asked if he could estimate when Wirtz will be ready to play again, the head coach replied: “No, at this moment of time, no – and usually when I say that I do know that but I don’t want to share it! But now I honestly don’t know.”
Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Wataru Endo are long-term absentees, with only Endo and Isak likely to return this season.
West Ham United, by contrast, have a relatively healthy squad. January signing Pablo Felipe remains out on an individual programme, while Lukasz Fabianski is sidelined as the third-choice keeper.
Midfielder Freddie Potts serves the second game of a three-match suspension following his red card in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Burton Albion.
Read more: Liverpool linked with sensational Luis Suarez move
Rising Liverpool star officially departs for €750,000
Eddie Howe addresses Anthony Gordon future
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.