Liverpool’s Alisson Returns as Reds Host West Ham in Crucial Clash

LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been cleared from concussion protocols and is set to play against West Ham United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. His return comes at a pivotal moment as the Reds look to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 loss to Fulham last week, which marked only their second defeat under head coach Arne Slot.

In addition to Alisson’s return, right-back Conor Bradley also made his comeback from injury as a substitute last weekend and could see his first league start of the season. However, Liverpool will still be without defenders Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who remain sidelined.

West Ham United will be keeping an eye on striker Niclas Füllkrug, who is anticipated to start his first match since January, following a goal as a substitute in a recent 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. The Hammers’ squad is further hampered by the long-term absences of Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville.

Historically, Liverpool has dominated the head-to-head encounters with West Ham, winning 74 of 131 meetings, while West Ham has only managed 25 wins. The teams drew 32 times throughout their history.

As Liverpool gears up for the match, Mohamed Salah‘s revelation of a new contract has sparked excitement among fans. Salah, who leads the Premier League with 27 goals and 17 assists this season, is on track to break the single-season record for goal involvements, which stands at 47, held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer. But Salah’s form has dipped, with no goals or assists in his last four outings, his longest dry spell since March 2021.

Despite Salah’s recent struggles, Slot remains optimistic about his chances against West Ham, stating, “Of course it’s a boost, it’s always a boost when quality players come back. To have a player in his favourite position is always better for the team.”

On the West Ham side, manager Graham Potter has sought to instill a more attacking style, yet the team’s statistics indicate they have struggled to capitalize on their possession, averaging only 1 goal per match compared to 1.18 under former manager Julen Lopetegui.

Potter commented on the challenge ahead: “They’ve lost their last game but won the previous four in the Premier League. We have to be the best version of ourselves to have a chance.”

As Liverpool prepares to defend its title, the Opta supercomputer predicts a 69.1% win probability for the Reds in this encounter. West Ham, conversely, is given only a 13.8% chance of victory.

The match promises high stakes, not only for Liverpool’s title aspirations but also for West Ham’s battle against relegation. With just seven matches remaining in the season, every point will count as both teams vie for contrasting goals.