Six important players out: West Ham team Lopetegui will likely pick against Liverpool. West Ham United registered a 1-0 win over Southampton in Thursday’s Premier League meeting at St Mary’s Stadium.
The Hammers will likely be in a confident mood after the away success, but they now face a big test with Liverpool to visit them at the weekend.
West Ham have significantly improved in recent weeks, picking up eight points from their last four league matches.
However, they must produce a special performance to get anything against the Reds, who have been unstoppable this campaign.
Team Lopetegui will pick vs Liverpool
West Ham beat Southampton in midweek, but the victory came at a big cost for them. Lukasz Fabianski was stretchered off after a nasty head injury in a collision with Nathan Wood.
Lopetegui later confirmed the 39-year-old was conscious and alert in the dressing room, but he is unlikely to be involved in Sunday’s home game. In Fabianski’s absence, Alphonse Areola will return to the side to take his place between the sticks.
Carlos Soler and Max Kilman also went off injured before the second-half, and there are doubts the duo will recover in time to face the Reds.
Meanwhile, Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek will be suspended after the two picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season.
Michail Antonio has been ruled out for at least a year after his involvement in a horror car accident earlier this month. However, Lopetegui will have the services of Lucas Paqueta after serving his suspension against Southampton.
The Spanish boss is expected to feature Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean Clair-Todibo in the heart of defence, with Emerson and Aaron Wan-Bissaka playing on the wings.
Edson Alvarez will likely operate as a defensive midfielder. Niclas Fullkrug should spearhead the attack, with Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville as wide attackers.
Predicted XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus, Summerville; Fullkrug
