Liverpool line-ups for West Ham as Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai benched
Our Reds writers have picked their teams for the clash with the Hammers at Anfield
Paul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. Now into his seventh season in the role, Paul follows the Reds home and away, wherever they play - including pre season. He brings you all the latest Liverpool news first each day, plus exclusive interviews and insightful, independent analysis. A journalist with over a decade's worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.
All things considered, it's been a good week for Liverpool. Even after a rare loss in the Premier League on Sunday to Fulham.
Arsenal's back-to-back draws mean they have failed to capitalise on the Reds' defeat. Perhaps most significantly of all though is that Mohamed Salah signed a new two-year deal on Friday. Virgil van Dijk is expected to follow him in committing to the club on a multi-year contract.
It means the visit of West Ham United on Sunday is almost a pressure-free affair for Arne Slot's side. With a 10-point advantage and a game in hand, the title party is likely to begin in earnest. Just nine points are now needed to clinch the prize.
Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle will both be in attendance at Anfield. This is how they would set the team up for the visit of the Hammers.
Ian Doyle
Seven more games to go. And Liverpool remain very much in the box seat to become champions of England for a record-equalling 20th time.
The Reds, though, have had a full week to mull over the disappointing 3-2 reverse at Fulham that consigned them to only a second Premier League defeat of the season.
What, then, is Liverpool boss Arne Slot to do?
There should be changes. Starting in goal, where Alisson Becker returns. The fit-again Conor Bradley can step in at right-back, while Andy Robertson is at left-back. And I'd have Jarell Quansah in alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai needs a rest so Curtis Jones can switch to the number 10 position, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister continuing in the deeper roles.
And up top, Luis Diaz is in down the left, with Diogo Jota playing central and Mohamed Salah on the right.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Jota.
Paul Gorst
With Liverpool having just one game a week now, the aches and pains should have more than enough time to clear up between games now for Arne Slot's squad. So I am expecting the Reds boss to rotate even less frequently than he has been at Anfield this term.
That being said, there are two changes to the back five for me as Alisson Becker returns in place of Caoimhin Kelleher in goal after his concussion on Brazil duty nearly a month ago now. The Selecao shot-stopper starts behind a back five of Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley, who makes his first start since Everton in February.
In midfield, Curtis Jones allows marathon-man Dominik Szoboszlai to have a rest in the most advanced midfield position, while Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch keep their places behind him.
Up top, Mohamed Salah, who takes the field in possession of a shiny new two-year contract, starts off the right and there's a place for Luis Diaz after his excellent showing off the bench at Fulham. Plot twist: the Colombia international is named through the middle with Cody Gakpo encouraged to get back to form on the left side. Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez can hang fire on the bench.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Diaz.