Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs West Ham

Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at London Stadium on Saturday evening.

A third consecutive win in all competitions will be Liverpool's target when they travel to West Ham on Saturday ahead of another international break.

The Reds struggled after September's FIFA interval, but have suffered just one defeat in the five games since the last recess.

Jurgen Klopp's side have kept four clean sheets in this period, but also gift-wrapped as many goals to Tottenham.

They have conceded 15 away from home this season, which is a league high, and are desperate to remedy their defensive issues on the road.

Huddersfield and Maribor have already both been defeated by a 3-0 scoreline at Anfield this week heading into the encounter at London Stadium.

LIVERPOOL INJURIES

Gini Wijnaldum hobbled off after 17 minutes against the Slovenians in the Champions League on Wednesday with an ankle injury and is likely to miss the match.

"At half-time I asked immediately and the ankle was already swollen," Klopp explained.

"It’s probably not a good sign. We saw a kick in the game and didn’t think it was too serious. Then it was swollen. We’re not sure if he twisted it or not. For sure, we have to make a scan."

Philippe Coutinho is set to be unavailable again with an adductor issue, while Dejan Lovren (thigh) has more of a chance of featuring.

"I would say it will be really close with Dejan," Klopp said. "I don’t think Phil is able to play, but with Dejan we have to see. "It is different with Dejan. It’s not the same problem Phil has and he is not out for that long a time, but Gini is out so maybe there will be a wonder or something like this and Phil is in. "But I don’t think in the moment that he can play."

Sadio Mane's rehabilitation from a hamstring issue is going well and he is set to join training on Thursday, while Adam Lallana is still on schedule to return from his thigh injury after the international break.

Nathaniel Clyne, meanwhile, remains sidelined with a back problem.

LIVERPOOL SUSPENSIONS

The visitors have no suspension concerns, but right-back Pablo Zabaleta serves a one-match ban for the Hammers after picking up his fifth booking.

LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in line to make his first Premier League start for the Reds after impressing on his full Champions League bow.

With Wijnaldum nursing a swollen ankle, the England international will hope to land a spot in midfield after playing in the front three on Wednesday.

Daniel Sturridge - a scorer in the last two games - was on the bench against Maribor and will want to be restored to the attack if 'Ox' moves central.

If Lovren is not fit enough to feature in defence, Klopp must decide whether to play Ragnar Klavan at centre-back for a third game in a week. Joe Gomez is an option, but may rotate at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold as has been the case this season.

Alberto Moreno's solid form continues as Andy Robertson waits on an opportunity to start again on the opposite flank, while Simon Mignolet will return in goal.

WEST HAM TEAM NEWS

The Hammers have lost five points from winning positions, allowing Southampton, Burnley and Crystal Palace to score late goals against them.

Liverpool will look to expose their defensive issues, especially with Zabaleta suspended, while both Jose Fonte and Aaron Cresswell were injured at Selhurst Park.

The latter has the better chance of featuring, but James Collins - who has announced his retirement from international football with Wales - is not yet ready to return from an ankle issue.

Winston Reid could be available after shaking off a calf strain, while Michail Antonio is ruled out after suffering a recurrence of a rib injury.

West Ham are 16th and Mark Noble is desperate for his team-mates to turn in a big performance against Liverpool.

"With where we are in the table and the fact we go into the final international break of the year after it, there is a massive motivation to win Saturday's game," he told the club's official website.

"Liverpool at home is a big game - it always is. We're at home, we'll have the crowd behind us and we've got to roll our sleeves up, look forward to the game and do the basics right."

"You can't make mistakes like we made at Crystal Palace in the Premier League and expect to win matches, so we really need to learn how to hold onto a lead because we're really shooting ourselves in the foot.

"People talk about 'managing the game' and a lot of it is common sense. We need to be able to see the time out by slowing the play down and, in a way, get the opposition and their fans feeling anxious. I don't think we have done that well enough this season."

BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS

Liverpool have lost three of their last six Premier League games against the Hammers (W2 D1) – as many as they’d lost in their previous 25.

Liverpool have allowed their opponents to score from 20% of their total shots in the Premier League this season (16 of 79); more than any other team.

Mohamed Salah has scored five goals in his first nine Premier League appearances for Liverpool, level with Dirk Kuyt (5) and only fewer than Robbie Fowler at this stage of his Liverpool career in the competition (6).

TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME

Kick off is at 17:30 BST and the match will be televised live on BT Sport.