Liverpool’s season has spiraled into a full-blown crisis, and a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Sunday represents a desperate search for respite. The reigning Premier League champions are reeling from three consecutive heavy defeats, including a humiliating 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, leaving them languishing in 12th and 13th in the Premier League and Champions League respectively. With nine defeats in their last twelve matches, the pressure on manager Arne Slot is immense, with his side plagued by defensive disorganization and attacking profligacy. The Dutchman’s position is under serious threat, and a positive result against the resurgent Hammers is non-negotiable.
In a rare piece of good news for the beleaguered Reds, key figures Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz are in contention to return. Alisson missed the PSV debacle through illness but has trained and is expected to start, while Wirtz is set to rejoin the squad after recovering from a muscle issue. Their returns could provide a much-needed boost. However, striker Hugo Ekitike is a doubt with a back complaint, though his issue is not considered long-term. Defender Joe Gomez is also ‘close’ to being involved, potentially from the start, as Slot considers shaking up his lineup in response to the dismal run of form.
West Ham, under Nuno Espírito Santo, present a formidable and confident obstacle. The Hammers are unbeaten in three league games, having recently climbed out of the relegation zone, and have won their last two matches at the London Stadium. They welcome back influential playmaker Lucas Paquetá from a one-match suspension, while Konstantinos Mavropanos and Crysencio Summerville are being assessed for potential returns from injury. Callum Wilson, in excellent form with three goals in his last two games, will spearhead an attack looking to exploit Liverpool’s fragile defense.
The confirmed team news reveals the line-ups for this crucial Premier League fixture. For Liverpool, Alisson does indeed start in goal, with Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konaté in defense. Wirtz returns to the starting eleven, joining Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, with Alexander Isak leading the line. West Ham have made three changes, recalling Mavropanos, Soungoutou Magassa, and the returning Paquetá, with Wilson and captain Jarrod Bowen key in attack.
Historically, Liverpool have dominated this fixture, losing just one of the previous twenty meetings and scoring five goals on three separate occasions in the last two years. But history offers little comfort given their current form. The expectation is that West Ham, full of belief, will aggressively target a vulnerable opponent. An early goal for the hosts could send Liverpool into another downward spiral, and there is a genuine fear that Slot’s side could concede three or more goals for a fourth successive match. For Liverpool F.C., this is more than just a game; it’s a pivotal moment to halt the slide and salvage a season that is rapidly slipping away.