Liverpool vs West Ham Predicted Lineup: Ngumoha to Replace Wirtz?

Arne Slot announced that Florian Wirtz will miss the February 28th match vs. West Ham and hinted that Rio Ngumoha would be getting more EPL minutes if healthy. Why not let the youngster start on the left wing opposite Salah in place of the injured Wirtz? I know he normally plays on the right, but going against a struggling Hammers’ side currently in the relegation zone, it’s worth a shot. Based on the assumption that Ngumoha starts, here are three keys for three points for Liverpool vs. West Ham.

Start Fast

Liverpool don’t need to sit back in this one. Put pressure on the visitors from the opening whistle. The Reds got off to a slow start vs. Forest, and if not for a great save from Alisson, they would have been behind inside of three minutes. To avoid that this week, let Domonik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister dominate the midfield, and then Ngumoha use his individual skill to win against the Hammers' expected low block.

Salah still has some magic in his boots on the right, and you have Hugo Ekitiké lurking in front of the goal. Ekitiké will be hungry to get back on the scoresheet after being shut out over the last few games.

Beware Of Bowen 

Jarrod Bowen has been the Hammers’ talisman for a long time. In fact, he has the club record for goal involvements in the EPL with 102 (62 goals and 40 assists). Bowen’s skill on the wing could be a problem for 22-year-old Milos Kerkez at Left Back, so I expect Andy Robertson to get the start. If the Reds do get in trouble, Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté can clean up any messes at the back from counterattacks because I don’t see West Ham threatening Liverpool any other way.

Stay Focused

The Reds can’t overlook the Hammers. It was just announced that Liverpool will face Galatasaray in the next round of the Champions League, and they are just three points behind Manchester United for a Top 4 spot on the table and Champions League qualification next season.

“The way I see it is that it’s another game for us and we’re not so focused on other teams,” Slot said in his presser.  “As all managers always say, we are mainly focused on ourselves, and we know that we need to win a lot of games because our competitors for these Champions League places are very good teams as well, win a lot. So we know we have to win a lot as well, and that’s where our focus is on and not so much about points, gaps, all the difference. Although we are aware of the league table, that’s for sure.”

LFC Globe Verdict

Ngumoho gets his first EPL start and for good reason. He has been playing well lately, and since the game is at Anfield, it will be easier for him than if it were on hostile ground. If the pairing with Salah on the other wing, Slot can always change things up. West Ham is struggling. It’s time to let the youngster get his feet wet without fear of there being sharks in the water.

Predicted Lineup

Here is the rest of my Starting XI. 

If you were Slot, who would you start in place of Wirtz? Use our Squad Selector to choose different scenarios. 

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