LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 13, 2015: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia in action during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. (Pic by James Maloney/Propaganda)

Coutinho and Sturridge in line to return – Predicting Liverpool’s XI for West Ham FA Cup replay

As the Reds prepare to take on West Ham United in the FA Cup, we take a look at how Liverpool could line up for their fourth-round replay.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 29, 2015: Liverpool's substitute Daniel Sturridge in action against Swansea City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The two teams meet for the fourth time this season on Tuesday night, with the Reds looking to record a vital first win over Slaven Bilic’s side.

After making a quick recovery having had his appendix removed on Saturday, Klopp is set to make a welcome return to the dugout.

The German confirmed in his pre-match press conference that a “different” Liverpool team to previous games is likely to be named for the replay, with some welcome injury returns giving him more room for manoeuvre.

 

Team News

  • Klopp to name stronger side with returning absentees providing welcome boost
  • Reds boss set to supplement youth with increased number of first teamers
  • Dejan Lovren and Joe Allen unlikely to feature after weekend injuries
  • Cameron Brannagan also missing due to illness
  • But fit-again Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi to be involved
  • “Impressive” Daniel Sturridge also in line to play some part of cup tie
  • Danny Ward could be handed Reds debut in place of Simon Mignolet
  • Steven Caulker set to return at centre-back
  • Kolo Toure likely to partner loaned defender to allow Mamadou Sakho rest
  • Brad Smith set to fill left-back role
  • Jon Flanagan hopeful of returning to right-back slot
  • Kevin Stewart in line to keep midfield place
  • Youngster could be joined by Lucas Leiva after Brazilian started on bench vs. Sunderland
  • Joao Carlos Teixeira and Jordon Ibe in line for starting berth again
  • Sturridge could partner Christian Benteke in attack with Origi in reserve

 

Liverpool’s XI

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 17, 2015: Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho Correia in action against AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp is set to name a “different” and potentially much stronger team with returning injury absentees giving the German fresh legs to introduce.

That could see a change of shape to accommodate returning duo Coutinho and Sturridge, with the Brazilian able to play in midfield and the England striker alongside Benteke.

With Caulker and Smith coming into the back four and Lucas joining Stewart after being benched at the weekend, a strong Reds side could look like this at Upton Park:

West Ham FAC 1

However, Klopp could decide against starting the fit-again duo, as well as Origi, instead keeping them in reserve as game-changing substitutes, if needed.

With that in mind, Klopp could name a fairly strong XI, with Ward and Flanagan coming in to allow Mignolet and Nathaniel Clyne a rest, and Ibe and Sheyi Ojo playing wide roles in the attacking unit in support of Benteke.

Those alterations could see Liverpool line up like this come 7:45pm kick-off time:

West Ham FAC 2

With a miserable season needing to be kept alive with cup success, the Reds must kick-start a bumpy opening to their journey to Wembley by booking a place in the fifth round.