9 Liverpool changes Arne Slot could make for West Ham after dropping Darwin Nunez hint
Arne Slot looks to have hinted that Darwin Nunez will start for Liverpool again on Wednesday as the Reds begin their defense of the Carabao Cup.
West Ham will be their first opponents as they enter the competition at the third round stage, having lifted the trophy just seven months ago at Wembley – Jurgen Klopp’s final piece of silverware at the club.
Although he hasn’t shown much of an appetite for rotating his squad so far this season, Wednesday’s encounter will present Slot with an ideal opportunity to rest some of his most important players, while also getting minutes into the legs of others.
I've seen 3 Liverpool players change their fortunes as Arne Slot prediction comes true
Liverpool just dropped quiet transfer hint as Arne Slot success hinges on 5 players
Having marked his first start of the season with a stunning goal on Saturday, Nunez looks as though he will retain his place in the line-up for the visit of the Hammers. Slot seemed to let slip the Uruguayan’s involvement when speaking after the 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
"He showed today a good game and maybe he can show it on Wednesday again but let's wait and see,” Slot said of Nunez.
How many changes the Liverpool boss will make is up in the air, but he could go into the game with an almost entirely new line-up for this season, while still naming a strong side.
After deputizing for the injured Alisson Becker on Saturday, Caoimhin Kelleher will likely get the nod in goal again, with the Irishman very much established as Liverpool’s ‘cup goalkeeper’ now. There could be an entirely new back four in front of him though.
Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas are obvious picks, having regularly featured anyway this season. Jarell Quansah might well get his first opportunity since being substituted at Ipswich, while Joe Gomez could get his first start of the season.
Liverpool’s U21s may well have dropped a hint over selection in midfield, with Trey Nyoni and Tyler Morton both being withdrawn shortly after the hour-mark against Derby on Saturday. We’re not sure both would start given some of the options available, but given his impressive showings in pre-season, we’d like to see Nyoni given an opportunity.
Wataru Endo’s omission from the squad on Saturday probably isn’t too encouraging a sign for his future at Anfield, although he could get the chance to stake a claim here, with Curtis Jones likely to feature as well.
With Nunez looking set for another start, the only remaining question is who will start either side of him. Federico Chiesa is ready to make his first start, and Cody Gakpo would relish another opportunity from the left in a competition that has served him well.
Potential Liverpool XI vs West Ham: Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Nyoni, Gakpo; Nunez.