Liverpool’s line-up as a Diogo Jota problem depends on Thiago Alcantara’s...

Ian Doyle: There is only one real selection problem for Liverpool tonight. According to Diogo iota or not according to Diogo iota?

Much will depend on the fitness of Thiago Alcantara. Jürgen Klopp gives the Spaniard every chance to prove his readiness.

So let’s say he makes it. And that means his Iberian colleague is heading for the bank.

The Liverpool team chooses itself to be honest. The last five ended against FC Midtjylland.

Thiago can join Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum in midfield.

And the first three are the first three.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, R. Williams, Gomez, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, mane

“Klopp can become a villain with a formation change if Thiago starts for Liverpool.”

Connor Dunn: I’m tossing out the rulebook and going rogue with my team selector this week.

As we know, Liverpool are in the midst of an injury crisis in defense. For me, the best option is to do whatever it takes and be careful in trying to ruthlessly outperform West Ham.

I will therefore choose a relatively fluid and hard working 3-5-2 formation.

Now Alisson starts in goal, but my last three are Jordan Henderson on the right, Joe Gomez in the middle and James Milner on the left.

There are five Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on both flanks of my midfield.

We know that both players have an incredible engine so they can go up and down as usual to aid the defense and tie the attack together, while Henderson and Milner have both demonstrated the versatility and expertise at the heart of one Players have backline.

In the middle of the park are Gini Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara. Jürgen Klopp refused to exclude Thiago from the game, so shows a number of passes that help the Reds protect their goal.

Among them in the middle is the willing and form-strong Diogo Jota, although he will line up in an almost 3-4-1-2 line-up directly in front of them, but not quite as rigidly.

At the top are Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who will hopefully wreak havoc.

My team (3-5-2): Alisson; Henderson, Gomez, Milner; Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Jota, Thiago, Robertson; Wrong, mane.

“Rhys Williams gets the nod to West Ham injury news”

Sean Bradbury: Well this one will be interesting. Let’s just do it.

With Atalanta and Manchester City on the horizon, I can’t see all of the usual first three starts.

Mohamed Salah can rest after playing every minute in the Premier League so far.

I would go with Roberto Firmino in the middle, Diogo Jota on the left and Sadio Mane back in his old place on the right.

In midfield, Gini Wijnaldum starts in the deeper role. Jordan Henderson is ahead of him.

And when Thiago Alcantara is fit enough for an hour of football, I would play the new recruit to build a rhythm before the two crunch clashes.

Then in the back …

Alisson is in goal, of course, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on the flanks. Joe Gomez is the older man in the middle.

If Mikhail Antonio had been available for West Ham, I would have been tempted to go with Nat Phillips because I had a little more experience in dealing with the in shape striker.

Instead, Rhys Williams gets the nod to impress again after his midweek performance.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, R. Williams, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Thiago; Mane, Firmino, Jota.

“Klopp may have the chance of a trial against Man City”

Peter Harris: This feels like a dress rehearsal for how Jurgen Klopp will line up his team against Manchester City the following weekend, despite the fact that his team will have to travel to Italy before venturing to Etihad.

Is the Reds manager asking another of his trusted midfielders to fill that defensive void left by Virgil van Dijk and now Fabinho? Or does he trust one of his young defense lawyers?

He’s hopelessly hoping Joel Matip stays fit before the champions take on Pep Guardiola’s men, but Rhys Williams is a defender by profession and hasn’t looked out of place in his Champions League games.

There are also injuries in midfield – so defender Williams should be tasked with the defense. He may have to do just that in the next few weeks.

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Jordan Henderson, who comes into question as central defender, is needed alongside Gini Wijnaldum in the middle of the field as the 4-2-3-1 formation is used again. Thiago just missed a starting place. The last thing Liverpool need is to push someone back from an injury and make the situation worse.

Roberto Firmino is the striker who takes on a more offensive midfield role with Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota on the wings. Mohamed Salah will take the position of forward with the idea that such an impressive front will overwhelm the Hammers.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, R. Williams, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Firmino, mane, iota; Salah.