A decision in defence & whether to

risk Thiago – Predicting Liverpool’s

lineup vs. West Ham
 October 30, 2020
 Joanna Durkan

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A new selection headache at centre-back has emerged for Jurgen
Klopp as injuries continue to mount in the position ahead of West Ham’s
visit in the Premier League.
The Reds were already on a fitness knife-edge in the heart of defence
before Fabinho became the latest to be forced to sit on the sidelines,
leaving Joe Gomez as the last senior option standing.
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With Liverpool having proven to opt for caution over returning players, Klopp is
likely to turn to youth at Anfield – but the captain could yet be set to move
deeper.

It is likely to rest on who is available in the middle of the park, however,

following on from a four-day break post the 2-0 win over Midtjylland on
Tuesday.

West Ham are to prove a testing opposition after a run of four games

unbeaten, which includes draws against Tottenham and Man City and a
convincing win at Leicester.
Here’s how Klopp could lineup his side against the Hammers in the Premier
League.
 

Team News
Life at the back, at least in the short-term, took another sizeable hit
after Fabinho pulled up with a hamstring injury after the half an hour mark in
midweek – following on from Virgil van Dijk earlier this month.
With Joel Matip having sat out the last three games with a mystery injury,
Gomez quickly became the sole senior option in the position and could be
partnered with Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips or even Jordan Henderson on
Saturday.
Ahead of the match, Klopp told reporters: “Fab is not in he got a little injury so
he will be out for the weekend and slightly longer.”

The boss also gave a nod to 17-year-old Billy Koumetio’s availability after the
Frenchman recovered from an injury setback as he conceded we now “have
to make decisions” at the back.

No update was provided on Matip or Kostas Tsimikas and Klopp simply stated

that “we will see” over the availability of both Thiago and Naby Keita.
 

Liverpool’s XI vs. West Ham

All eyes will be on the selection at centre-back and it could very well be that
Williams earns his maiden Premier League start alongside Gomez.
The 19-year-old was a composed presence in midweek and the absence of
the in-form Michail Antonio will come as somewhat of a boost – with the
forward having scored 11 goals in his last 13 appearances.
The pair will be accompanied by Alisson, who will prove integral in guiding his
young defence, and Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold – the latter
of whom is set for his 100th league appearance.
In midfield, a timely return of Thiago could see the defence provided with
adequate protection alongside the likes of Jordan Henderson and Gini
Wijnaldum.
And having sat out the majority of the win over Midtjylland, the front three
of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino should be raring to go in
a side that looks like this: