Liverpool end a hectic run of 10 games in 36 days today when they take on West Ham United in their final fixture of 2024. Remarkably, they head to the London Stadium with a close to fully fit squad.
While West Ham have played two fewer matches in the same space of time, their selection problems are far greater.
But like Liverpool, they will go into the contest, which gets under way at 5.15pm, in good form. The Hammers have won two and drawn two of their last four Premier League outings to pull nine points clear of the relegation places and ease the pressure that was building on boss Julen Lopetegui.
But the Reds will be firm favourites to continue their winning ways. It’s now 22 victories from 26 matches in all competitions for Arne Slot, who like his opposite number, was a new appointment in the summer.
And Liverpool’s chances of taking all three points have been aided by the availability crisis that has engulfed West Ham following their Boxing Day triumph at Southampton.
Already without striker Michail Antonio after he underwent surgery on a lower limb fracture following a serious car crash earlier this month, Hammers boss Lopetegui is now set to be without a further five players.
Midfield pair Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez are definitely out through suspension, after picking up their fifth bookings of the campaign in the 1-0 win at St Mary’s, while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is sidelined too because of concussion protocols.
The Reds will be without three players today. Centre-back Ibrahima Konate and right-back Conor Bradley are yet to return to training after sustaining injuries in the stunning Champions League success at home to Real Madrid on November 27.
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, meanwhile, is suspended after he collected his fifth yellow card of the season in the Boxing Day win at home to Leicester City.
