Beware – Reds with a Point To Prove

The fixture congestion that has arrived in the Liverpool Head Coach’s diary can be seen in two ways – either it is a headache with players travelling to and from Champions League fixtures, Premier League games and then having to ‘fit in’ the Carabao Cup game against West Ham tomorrow night – or, alternatively, fringe players will undoubtedly look at the Hammers’ visit as an opportunity to prove a point.

So whilst it has been suggested that The Irons will face a ‘Liverpool 2nd XI’ tomorrow night, there are several players who for various reasons are men on a mission and would love to feature for their boss Arne Slot to take notice.

Liverpool fansite anfieldwatch.co.uk  suggests there are four to watch out for: Some will be well known to Hammers’ fans –  but some are completely new names.

Jarrell Quansah started the season as centre-back alongside Van Djik. He was substituted after just one half and hasn’t been selected since, so will certainly be eager to prove his boss wrong.

Darwin Nuñez has struggled for the recognition of being a first-choice striker even though he scored a fabulous goal at the weekend: Normally in the shadows of Salah, Diaz, Gakpo and Diogo Jota  he will be eager to add to his tally and dispel the myth that he is a profligate striker needing many attempts for each goal converted.

Wataru Endō has declined from being a first team-regular to bit-part player under Slot. Ryan Gravenbach gets the nod in front of Endō so he’ll be looking again to maximise any game time he gets offered against West Ham.

Federico Chiesa Is an undoubted talent but yet to show his ideal role in Liverpool’s attacking set up. With just a £12.5 million price tag, he is eager to show his worth far outweighs that by proving his new fitness regime has toughened him up for top flight football.

Whichever of these gets the pick for Liverpool’s start of the defence of their Carabao Cup tomorrow night, they’ll be on special mission to impress: Making them much more than ‘just’ squad players and West Ham will not underestimate whoever wears the familiar red kit, having won only once in living memory at Anfield.