Liverpool head to West Ham with the chance to extend their Premier League lead over Manchester City to 19 points. Not only can Liverpool extend their lead over Manchester City, but Jurgen Klopp and his players can reduce the number of points needed to win the Premier League title to 24.
Klopp will take his side to the London Stadium where the Hammers’ dented Liverpool’s title hopes last season. Liverpool could only manage a 1-1 draw versus West Ham when they met in London on their previous trip.
Wednesday night’s match is Liverpool’s game in hand after the original match between the teams in December was postponed. The postponement was due to Liverpool competing in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Sadio Mane not available for London trip
Manager Jurgen Klopp will be without forward Sadio Mane for the trip to London. Mane tweaked his hamstring versus Wolverhampton Wanderers a week ago being replaced by Takumi Minamino.
Mane is scheduled to miss the match on Wednesday night and Liverpool’s match versus Southampton at Anfield on Saturday. The Reds first-team will have a week off due to the Premier League winter break following the match versus Southampton allowing Mane to return to full fitness. Mane is expected to return after the winter break.
Liverpool injuries and fitness
Klopp had the trio of Fabinho, Dejan Lovren, and Joel Matip back from injury. The trio appeared versus Shrewsbury Town on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round. However, all three looked incredibly rusty and Matip was subbed off in the second half.
The manager will not have midfielder James Milner available versus West Ham. Milner is recovering from his own hamstring injury which was suffered versus Everton in the FA Cup third round.
Midfielders Xherdan Shaqiri and Adam Lallana are both in line to feature for Jurgen Klopp following an injury and illness respectively.
Klopp could start Divock Origi in Mane’s place despite using Minamino versus Wolverhampton Wanderers. Minamino could be used off the bench having now played back to back games. If Shaqiri is fit, however, Klopp could deploy him on the left side.
