Liverpool visit West Ham United in a must-win Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon.
Manager Arne Slot has watched the 2025/26 campaign unravel at an alarming speed, and he is now walking a tightrope.
Liverpool came into the season with plenty of expectations, especially after spending over £400 million in the summer.
However, that early optimism has faded after a series of setbacks that no one could have imagined, especially after last season’s exploits.
With every passing game, there’s a feeling that the Liverpool bosses could pull the plug on the Dutchman, but they are giving him time to turn things around.
West Ham could provide the ideal platform for a potential resurgence.
Liverpool have won six of their last seven Premier League meetings with the Hammers (D1), including the previous two in a row.
They’ve also lost just one of their last 18 league games against the Hammers (W14, D3), although that solitary win for West Ham came on their own turf.
Liverpool may not get a better chance to turn their fortunes around than the upcoming trip to London.
The Reds come into this game sitting closer to the relegation zone than to league leaders Arsenal.
Anything but a win against West Ham could be the final nail in Slot’s coffin, with Liverpool already on their worst run of form in over seven decades.
How Liverpool could line up
Liverpool have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Alisson, and he should reclaim his place for Sunday’s outing.
Andrew Robertson will likely come in for Milos Kerkez, while Joe Gomez makes his first start of the season in place of the error-prone Ibrahima Konate.
Gomez has featured seven times in all competitions this season but should partner Virgil van Dijk for the first time in the Premier League, while Curtis Jones remains at right back.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister should continue their partnership while Dominik Szoboszlai lines up between Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah on the flanks.
Hugo Ekitike’s injury setback means Alexander Isak would get another chance to open his goalscoring account after his British record move over the summer.
Predicted XI;
(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jones, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allliste, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak.
