Liverpool enjoyed another midweek without a match but now must focus on the visit of West Ham, and Arne Slot has a decision to make as he remains without one key player but welcomes one back.
The Reds were handed a few days off after the late win against Nottingham Forest, but their schedule now picks back up with the Hammers the first of seven games in 22 days.
It will be another game without Florian Wirtz to help pull the creative strings, but that hands an opportunity elsewhere at Anfield.
Slot’s side play a day before Man United and Chelsea and can put pressure on their Sunday games with a win ahead of the final 10-game run-in.
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at how Liverpool’s head coach could line up his side against a resurgent West Ham.
Liverpool team news vs. West Ham: Wirtz latest & Frimpong back
Florian Wirtz remains sidelined with the back issue that saw him pulled out of the starting lineup at Forest. Slot is unsure of his return date.
Jeremie Frimpong is available for selection after returning to training this week following a five-game absence with a groin injury.
Liverpool will not welcome anyone else back into their squad, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak still sidelined.
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. West Ham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister acknowledges the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool were forced into a late change when Wirtz pulled out of the side in the warmup, and that could again afford Curtis Jones a chance in midfield.
It was not the Scouser’s best game, not that it was for many others, but with time on the training pitch he could instead settle alongside Ryan Gravenberch for this fixture.
That would allow Alexis Mac Allister to operate closer to the forward trio of Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah and Hugo Ekitike aiming to capitalise on the league’s fifth-worst defensive side on the road.
The Hammers, however, have kept three clean sheets in their last four games and that will give them confidence against the trio who have combined for just one goal in their last four matches.
This, of course, would leave Dominik Szoboszlai to operate at right-back working under the assumption that Frimpong may need to first be brought in as a substitute:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Mac Allister, Gakpo; Ekitike
With Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa, Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson unlikely to be on Slot’s radar for his starting XI, there could be just two tweaks to the abovementioned lineup that he would consider.
As Frimpong is deemed “available” after training throughout the week, he could restore a more natural fit at right-back to grant Szoboszlai freedom closer to the final third.
This, in turn, would force Jones back to the bench as the Dutchman has shown a preference for Gravenberch and Mac Allister, who have started seven of the last eight together in midfield:
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
There are not a lot of lineup options at Slot’s disposal when you consider his lack of trust in his alternative options, though he will have to start considering the likes of Robertson and Gomez as the schedule picks back up.
Liverpool are entering a key stage of their season as their silverware hopes are on the line next month, as are their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League.
West Ham will arrive with confidence regarding their form and that the Reds are there for the taking. Let’s just hope the side Slot picks can manage a fast start, for once, at Anfield.