Liverpool line-ups for West Ham as Federico Chiesa and Vitezslav Jaros decisions made

Liverpool begin the defence of the Carabao Cup tonight when they welcome West Ham United to Anfield. The third-round tie gives the Reds the chance to continue their impressive start to the season.

A 3-0 Premier League win at home to Bournemouth on Saturday made it five victories from six games in all competitions for Arne Slot’s side.

New Liverpool head coach Slot is beginning to rotate his squad and plenty of changes are expected for the showdown with top-flight rivals West Ham. So how exactly will the Reds line-up?

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Our Liverpool writers have had their say…

Paul Gorst – That’s quite the trio for the League Cup, isn’t it?

Liverpool’s defence of the Carabao Cup will surely coincide with the first raft of changes from Arne Slot with his team selection this evening. The Reds welcome a struggling West Ham United to Anfield as they aim to add another League Cup to their already impressive haul.

Everyone at Wembley in February will remember that day against Chelsea for a long time but from small acorns and all of that…tonight’s occasion will be a much more subdued affair with some vital minutes for players who need them.

Caoimhin Kelleher keeps his place behind a back four that features Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas.

In midfield there’s a first start for Wataru Endo alongside Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones gets the nod in the No.10 position. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai can rest up while it’s a huge shame Harvey Elliott cannot feature this evening but hopefully there is a chance for exciting teenager Trey Nyoni to get some senior game time off the bench.

Up top, it’s a full debut for Federico Chiesa alongside Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. That’s quite the trio for the League Cup, isn’t it?

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas; Endo, Gravenberch; Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez.

Keifer MacDonald – Federico Chiesa will make his first start for the club

Expect a raft of changes from Arne Slot as Liverpool begin their defence of the League Cup against West Ham United.

Having made minimal tweaks to his Premier League XI since last month’s opener against Ipswich Town, tonight’s clash at Anfield could see as many 10 changes made from the 3-0 win over Bournemouth last time out.

One player, though, who is certain to keep his place is Caoimhin Kelleher. The Irishman deputised for the injured Alisson Becker at the weekend and will keep his place as a hamstring injury sidelines the Brazilian once more.

In defence, however, Slot is likely to hand first starts of the season to Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, while Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas replace Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.

In midfield is where things could interesting for the Reds, with the excellent Ryan Gravenberch set be afforded a night off. It means that Tyler Morton could make his first Reds appearance since February 2022 as he comes in for the Dutchman at the base of midfield.

The academy product will be joined by Wataru Endo in the deep-lying role, with 17-year-old Trey Nyoni waiting in wings in case an opportunity for a late cameo arises.

The headline news of the night, though, is that Federico Chiesa will make his first start for the club since his £10m move from Juventus last month as he supports the attack alongside Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo, while Darwin Nunez gets the nod in attack.

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas; Morton, Endo; Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez.

Stephen Killen – There could be a case to see Vitezslav Jaros start

Liverpool returning to winning ways in the Premier League against Bournemouth would have went a long way to emphasising the defeat to Nottingham Forest was nothing more than a blip.

The quick turnaround sees them tonight face West Ham United, who will be looking for any ounce of positivity as scrutiny emerges on Julen Lopetegui.

Options in goal are scarce with Alisson Becker injured and Caoimhin Kelleher deputising as Arne Slot admitted concerns over the Brazilian being fit for the trip to Wolves on Saturday. Vitezslav Jaros is the new third choice keeper after Adrian‘s departure and there could be a case to see him start against the Hammers this evening with the threat of injury to the Irishman and Alisson failing to be fit to feature at Molineux.

With matches coming thick and fast, rotation will be needed from Slot with four games in 10 days. There should be wholesale changes at the back with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson rested, allowing minutes for Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas.

There were two notable absentees from the Under-21s’ draw with Harrogate Town on Tuesday as Trey Nyoni and Tyler Morton didn’t travel to North Yorkshire. With that being said, Morton should deputise alongside Wataru Endo in the two-man midfield base.

Federico Chiesa, you would think, will make his first start for the club on the left, with Curtis Jones in the middle of the attacking three, with Mohamed Salah on the right, with the cup match posing a great opportunity for him to get back on the scoresheet.

Darwin Nunez should keep the shirt in the striking berth, leading the line for the Reds after a memorable goal on Saturday.