West Ham United head coach Graham Potter has suggested that Niclas Fullkrug may not be ready to start Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
The Germany international came off the bench to score in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, but Potter admitted in Friday’s press conference that he would need a once-over ahead of the trip to Merseyside.
Fullkrug did take part in team training on Friday and is on course to be available, but his lack of starts and Potter’s admission makes it likely that the Irons will err on the side of caution once again.
As a result, Jarrod Bowen is likely to continue in the centre-forward’s slot as he aims to build on an eye-catching record against Liverpool, having been involved in six of West Ham’s last seven games against the Reds.
Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus are attacking shoo-ins too, but Tomas Soucek failed to make his mark in the Bournemouth draw and could cede his central spot to Carlos Soler this weekend.
James Ward-Prowse has forced his way into the reckoning and is likely to partner Edson Alvarez again, and Potter may have considered a switch to the back three were it not for Aaron Cresswell‘s injury.
Instead, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo should reprise their partnership at the back, but one defensive change will likely see the more experienced Emerson Palmieri displace Oliver Scarles.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Soler, Paqueta; Bowen
> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this game
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