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Liverpool’s predicted starting XI vs West Ham: 2024’s final game
Liverpool will face West Ham United in the last game of this year, intending to carry their momentum into 2025. Liverpool have won 22 out of 26 games in all competitions this season with a sensational away form helping them.
The Reds must maintain their momentum with no room for complacency or any errors as their title rivals lurk nearby. Liverpool are six points ahead of Arsenal right now with a game in hand as the tough 2025 fixture awaits.
The Merseyside giant beat Leicester City 3-1 at Anfield in the Boxing Day clash despite conceding an early surprise goal. Liverpool have enjoyed a defensive formidability this season but have conceded nine goals in the last four Premier League games.
The away games are always tricky, but Liverpool will look to secure a clean sheet irrespective of the adversities ahead. Despite conceding nine goals, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have recently delivered strong all-around performances in the Liverpool defence.
Arne Slot confirmed to Liverpoolfc.com that Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley will remain unavailable for the game against the Hammers. He said:
“They will not be back for West Ham United, but then there is a week in between [before the game against Manchester United] so let’s see how close they are then. It’s difficult for me to tell you at this moment because they don’t train with the group yet, but hopefully in the upcoming days they come closer to that situation. And then again, Ibou [Konate] has been out then for five or six weeks maybe, Conor just as long I think, the same amount.”
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai earned a suspension for the upcoming clash against West Ham with his late yellow card against Leicester. The Hungarian earned a rest after his fantastic performance against Tottenham Hotspur and was a potential starter for this game.
Slot could put an almost unchanged side against the Hammers due to the small break they have after West Ham. The Reds will face Manchester United in the 2025 opening game after a much-needed week’s break.
The Kop Times predicted starting XI against West Ham are as follows-
Goalkeeper and Defence
Alisson Becker
Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since Alisson Becker returned from his hamstring injury. However, Liverpool suffered an early red card in his return Premier League game against Fulham and conceded complacent goals against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Brazilian failed to save the unstoppable Leicester goal due to deflection which makes a potential clean sheet crucial.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold delivered another sensational performance in possession but struggled with his set-piece deliveries against Leicester. The 26-year-old remains the only available option in Bradley’s absence, with Gomez playing as the centre-back.
Joe Gomez
Gomez has delivered sensational performances alongside Van Dijk after shrugging off his rustiness when Konate suffered an injury. The 27-year-old remains reliable in and out of possession, enjoying the consistent game-time he has received this month.
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk dominated Leicester with his passing, playing as a quarterback for the team and delivering a captain’s performance. The 33-year-old has played most games for the Reds as they need him to push through this congested period.
Andy Robertson
The Scotland captain has struggled with inconsistencies throughout this season and when he gained momentum, Robertson suffered a red card against Fulham. Kostas Tsimikas could potentially replace the veteran left-back for this game but Slot might stick with the same backline.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch has enjoyed a drastic U-turn in his fortune this year, establishing himself as the first-choice defensive midfielder. The 22-year-old’s place in the starting lineup remains secure as his backup Wataru Endo is incompatible with the profile Slot desires.
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister provided two assists against the Foxes, delivering an immensely important performance once again for the Reds. The Argentina International remains the first choice as the double-pivot partner of Gravenberch in the midfield.
Curtis Jones
With Szoboszlai suspended, Jones could potentially retain his place in the starting lineup after his goalscoring performance against Leicester. Harvey Elliott is another candidate but Slot has carefully managed the Englishman’s game time since his injury earlier this season.
Attack
Mohamed Salah
The prolific Liverpool legend has no desire to stop contributing with goals and assists and we hope for nothing less. Salah faltered during the latter stages of the last season, earlier in 2024 and he needs to avoid that for Liverpool to fulfil their title ambitions.
Diogo Jota
The Portuguese hitman will potentially return to the starting lineup ahead of Darwin Nunez to provide more finishing reliability. Diogo Jota needs to build up and maintain his fitness level which has always acted as his biggest adversary during his Liverpool tenure.
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz remained an unused substitute during the game against Leicester allegedly due to personal issues related to his father’s health. Hopefully, Mr. Diaz is feeling better and if that is the case, the Colombian forward could return to the starting lineup.
Nevertheless, Cody Gakpo delivered the man-of-the-match performance, maintaining his remarkable consistency in 2024. If Diaz fails to become available, Gakpo will replace him as a natural internal competition in the left-wing position.
