Liverpool predicted line-up vs West Ham as Arne Slot faces defensive conundrum

The Reds will likely set up in a similar fashion to last week at the City Ground, but with one major change at right-back, a position that continues to trouble Arne Slot

Joe Gomez could return at right-back to face West Ham(Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Arne Slot faces a recurring conundrum when selecting his Liverpool line-up to face West Ham United on Saturday: who to play at right-back?

The full-back position has been a major area of concern this season, predominantly because of the injury issues Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have suffered. The latter is available on Saturday once again following a five-match injury absence, but he is unlikely to be handed a starting berth.

It was Dominik Szoboszlai who started at right-back last week in the fortuitous 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, but, given the extent of Liverpool’s offensive fragilities, Slot opted to swap the Hungarian with Curtis Jones after 30 minutes.

Szoboszlai moved into a no.10 position, and Liverpool improved following the alteration. However, Jones continued to struggle at right-back, and it’s unlikely Slot will revert to that selection against West Ham.

Instead, Joe Gomez might return to the team. The defender has not been named in the starting line-up since the end of January, when he suffered a hip injury against Bournemouth.

As for Szoboszlai, his deployment in a more advanced midfield role seems increasingly likely with Florian Wirtz remaining absent due to a back injury.

Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak complete the Reds’ injury list.

Dominik Szoboszlai could revert to a midfield role(Image: Getty Images)

Slot is likely to line up with Alisson in between the sticks against Wesh Ham, with Gomez joined in a back four by Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.

In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch will probably partner last week’s match-winner, Alexis Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai will reprise his no.10 role.

Slot defended Mohamed Salah in Friday’s press conference despite his nine-game goalless streak in the Premier League, and the 33-year-old should start again on Saturday.

Arne Slot has played down fears over Mohamed Salah's form at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

“I don’t know if it happened nine games in a row but I've had these questions earlier if he didn’t score for three or five, but I know in the end he always starts scoring again,” said the Dutchman. “That is the challenge he has and we have now to make sure he starts scoring again.”

Slot also said Rio Ngumoha will earn more minutes in the coming months, but he will almost certainly be named on the bench at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo continuing on the left flank.

Hugo Ekitike struggled at the City Ground last week and will hope to address a run of scoring in just one of his last eight Premier League appearances.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.