Liverpool begin the defence of their Carabao Cup crown on Wednesday evening as they host West Ham United at Anfield.
The Reds beat West Ham 5-1 en route to the trophy last season and will view the Carabao Cup as a promising opportunity for Arne Slot to earn his first piece of silverware as the club’s manager. Bar a disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have impressed under the Dutchman.
Their 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at the weekend has seen them move to second in the Premier League table, while they also opened their Champions League campaign with a mature 3-1 win over seven-time champions Milan.
West Ham have been in comparatively poor form and a dismal 3-0 defeat to London rivals Chelsea on Saturday means they have gathered just four points from their first five league games under Julen Lopetegui. Defensive issues may be preyed upon by a Liverpool side who have scored two or more in all but one fixture under Slot.
Here is 90min’s guide to Liverpool vs West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool vs West Ham H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Liverpool vs West Ham on TV and live stream
Liverpool team news
Federico Chiesa could make a first start / Alex Livesey/GettyImages
Liverpool don’t have many injury concerns but Harvey Elliott is out until the end of October and Alisson will also miss Wednesday’s encounter. The Brazilian was absent against Bournemouth and has not been passed fit in time to face the Hammers.
Caoimhin Kelleher will retain his starting spot but there could be significant changes elsewhere. Slot has suggested that Federico Cheisa could make his first start for the Reds, while Cody Gakpo is likely to come into the lineup too.
Darwin Nunez scored at the weekend and will be competing with Diogo Jota for a starting spot. Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones are among the others who could enter the starting lineup.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs West Ham
Liverpool predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota.
West Ham team news
Niclas Fullkrug is still absent / Angel Martinez/GettyImages
In terms of fitness issues, Lopetegui is only without summer signing Niclas Fullkrug up front. Either Michail Antonio or former Liverpool striker Danny Ings will start in the number nine role at Anfield.
There could be changes in midfield for West Ham after a disappointing weekend display, with Carlos Soler and Tomas Soucek potentially coming in for Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez.
Jarrod Bowen has scored in his last three appearances against the Reds and will be aiming to continue that impressive record on Wednesday. He netted a stunner in the 5-1 Carabao Cup defeat last term.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Liverpool
West Ham predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Soucek, Soler; Bowen, Kudus, Summerville; Antonio.
Liverpool vs West Ham score prediction
With significant changes incoming for both sides, it’s difficult to know what to expect from Liverpool and West Ham on Wednesday evening. The Reds have home advantage, are in stronger form and boast a deeper squad, pointing towards victory for Slot’s men.
West Ham have won just one of their last 17 matches against Liverpool and haven’t tasted victory at Anfield since August 2015. With their defence looking unsteady, their midfield largely absent and their attacking players yet to hit their stride, they look unlikely to make the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
