LAST week’s defeat to Fulham ought to be a wake-up call for head coach Arne Slot.
As the Reds edge closer to the Premier League title, Liverpool fell short and gave one of their worst performances of the season against the Cottagers.
The Dutch boss may not publicly acknowledge that his players are feeling the strain physically and mentally after playing so many games, but he may want to make some changes to ensure his side do not slip up any further.
Ryan Gravenberch, Andrew Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and even Mohamed Salah have not been at their best in recent matches, and it’s plain to see.
Gravenberch, especially, looked tired and did not look like the player who was so brilliant in the first half of the season.
Salah, on the other hand, is on a four-match goal drought in all competitions.
The Egyptian has struggled to have any impact in recent games, getting outmuscled and unable to get past defenders.
Perhaps, some time on the bench could do both Gravenberch and Salah a world of good when West Ham United visit Anfield tomorrow.
Federico Chiesa or Harvey Elliott are good shouts to replace Salah for one match, as both have shown their capabilities and prowess to impact a match.
Wataru Endo, who has also excelled when called upon to see out matches in the final quarter of games, should also be given an opportunity to get his first start of the season.
Slot has most of his players fit, apart from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton.
Alisson Becker, who has returned to training, having missed the last two games due to concussion protocols, could make his return.
Conor Bradley, who made a second half appearance against Fulham following his return from injury, could also be named in the starting XI.
Graham Potter’s side are on a four-match winless run with two draws and two defeats, so it would be an opportunity for Liverpool to capitalise and to get a positive result.
West Ham have not won at Anfield in their last eight visits there, with the last victory being in 2015.
The Merseyside club will really need to do so much better against the Hammers if they do not want the embarrassment of losing their stranglehold of the title race and let the league title somehow slip away.
With news that Salah and Virgil van Dijk are close to extending their contracts at the club, it is hopeful that this can galvanise the team to perform better – and win.
