Liverpool take on West Ham away from home tonight (5.15pm) as they seek to finish 2024 on a high and, at least temporarily, move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds' title rivals, Chelsea and Arsenal, do not play until Monday and Wednesday (New Year's Day) respectively. Express Sport looks at how Arne Slot could line up down in the capital...
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Alisson has yet to keep a clean sheet since his return from his hamstring injury, conceding six times in just three Premier League outings. Slot's side have leaked 10 in their last four league matches on the road.
The manager, and Alisson, would love to change that at the London Stadium where Brazil's No.1 has only ever kept one shut-out in six previous visits, which came back in January 2020.
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Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas
With Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate still unavailable, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are all but certain to keep their starting spots.
So too is captain Virgil van Dijk, especially with a one-week break until Liverpool's next match - against Manchester United at Anfield - after this. But Kostas Tsimikas could replace Andy Robertson at left-back with the Scot having struggled defensively recently.
Tsimikas seemed to be ousting Robertson as the first-choice on the left-hand side before succumbing to an ankle injury in training. He hasn't started in the league since November 2 and this feels like an opportunity to take Robertson out of the spotlight.
Midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Elliott
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will be asked to go again in central midfield despite Curtis Jones' goal against Leicester last time out.
In the No.10 role, Arne Slot has conceded his plan in London was to utilise the legs of Dominik Szoboszlai before he got booked off the bench in the previous match, which means he is banned for this fixture.
Harvey Elliott could be handed his first Premier League start of the season given the energy he too provides out of possession. Jones would then be a handy option from the bench if Liverpool need greater control in the second half.
Attack: Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Liverpool's front three picks itself at the moment with Darwin Nunez low on confidence. Cody Gakpo has impressed from the left wing in recent weeks and should be deployed there once more.
Slot said in his pre-match press conference that they are still building Diogo Jota towards peak sharpness and so he should be a bench option again here. Luis Diaz will lead the line after being rested altogether on Boxing Day.
Mohamed Salah will relish the chance to once again be the match-winner and add to his 16 goals and 11 assists in 17 Premier League outings. He's found the net 12 times previously against the Hammers but is without a goal at the London Stadium since January 2021.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs West Ham (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Gakpo; Diaz
