Liverpool vs West Ham United expected line-up – Carabao Cup

Liverpool return to action this week for a Carabao Cup clash with Premier League opponents West Ham United.

The Reds managed a 3-0 win over Bournemouth last time out at home. Darwin Núñez scored his first goal of the 2024–25 season while Luis Díaz scored a brace to lift Liverpool to second place in the Premier League table.

Liverpool are the current defending Carabao Cup champions following their 1-0 extra-time victory over Chelsea in February. It was Jürgen Klopp's last trophy as Liverpool manager and he will aim to defend it under new head coach Arne Slot.

With Alisson's playing time for the match uncertain due to a muscle injury, Caoimhin Kelleher could start as goalkeeper for the second consecutive game. Slot is likely to stick with his preferred 4–2–3–1 formation, with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Jarell Quansah and Diogo Jota expected to return to the lineup after not starting at the weekend.

Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher – The 25-year-old saved seven shots against Bournemouth in his first appearance for the club since their horrific 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in April.

Defense: Conor Bradley – Slot could opt to start the young full-back for the first time in the new season, given Trent Alexander-Arnold's strong performance at the start of the season.

Center back: Jarell Quansah – Quansah could move into the centre of defence alongside van Dijk to give Ibrahima Konaté a breather.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk – The team’s captain is needed in the back line to ensure smooth operations against West Ham’s talented front line.

LA: Konstantinos Tsimikas – The Greek international returns to the lineup and hopes to repeat his performance against Milan in the Champions League.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister – The world champion makes a decisive contribution to Liverpool’s style of play with his skills on the ball and his excellent passing range.

DM: Curtis Jones – Wataru Endō has made two appearances and played just two minutes this season. Slot could opt to give Jones the nod in midfield for his first start of the season.

Right: Mohamed Salah – The experienced winger has started the new season at full steam and Slot will be hoping Liverpool can get things under control early so he can substitute Salah and give him a rest.

AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The Hungarian international is another key player for Slot’s team with his effective pressing and passing skills in the final third.

LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo could be in contention to start on the wing, pitted against West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

ST: Diogo Jota – The versatile striker will be looking to lead the attack after watching from the bench in the win over Bournemouth.