Liverpool are back in the Premier League this weekend and Jurgen Klopp has made a quick turnaround in his squad selection.
Less than 72 hours after the final whistle in Austria, the Reds face West Ham at Anfield to continue their impressive start to the season.
After 11 changes against LASK, we can expect even more tips from the manager when he plays in 2023/24. for the first time in two games in the same week. Here’s how Liverpool could prepare for it.
Team news
Here’s what we know about the team’s current issues:
Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to feature as he did not train with the team before flying to LASK.
Thiago doesn’t look any closer to a return either, having also missed Wednesday’s session
Stefan Bajcetic is back on the sidelines after being sidelined since March and is vying for an appearance
Liverpool XI v West Ham
We can certainly expect Klopp to change the series after naming a completely changed line-up for the Europa League opener.
Ryan Gravenberch is the only fresh fitness subject to be replaced by a brace at the Raiffeisen Arena, but Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai had to return to the side anyway.
It might look like this on Sunday:
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai return to center with Curtis Jones
Joe Gomez to step back at right-back in the absence of Alexander-Arnold
Mohamed Salah is positioned at the top of the pitch with Cody Gakpo
Liverpool’s line-up would be as follows:
Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; MacAllister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
The short gap between games gives Klopp something to think about and the relative absence of injuries at the moment gives several options.
Luis Diaz was involved from the start against LASK and could get a break after every game this season, while Darwin Nunez has been largely restricted to substitutes and will try to keep his place up front. Harvey Elliott has come off the bench in all five of the Reds’ Premier League games so far and will be hoping to build on his start in Europe.
The manager is happy to use Alexander-Arnold if he is deemed fit enough and he would almost certainly win his place back if he can.
Here’s how you can form an alternate side:
Diogo Jota, who replaced Diaz, was rested against LASK
Elliott replaces Jones in midfield alongside Szoboszlai
Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are the two changes to the back four
Nunez leads the lineup after starting against LASK
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Elliott, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Jota
Whichever path Klopp chooses, it will be almost unrecognizable to the man who got the job against LASK.
The Reds will hope that the feeling of victory in Austria will carry them to Anfield in what would be their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.
