Liverpool vs West Ham LIVE: Carabao Cup team news, line-ups and more tonight in the third round | OneFootball

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Liverpool lifted the League Cup last season at Wembley for a record tenth win; on Wednesday night their defence of the trophy begins as they face West Ham United.

The Reds will hope to go the distance in the Carabao Cup once more, but the big change from last term is Arne Slot being in the dugout after replacing Jurgen Klopp. The Hammers also have a new man in the dugout, Julen Lopetegui having been hired to fill the void left by David Moyes’ departure, but it’s well over 40 years since their last domestic trophy: this competition back in 1981, in fact.

They did win the Europa Conference League in 2023, however, so the fans remain expectant about the chances of them adding to their silverware cupboard - but it’s a tough start they’ve been handed here, after winning just one of their five Premier League matches so far this term.

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Team news

Here’s a reminder of the early team news – we can expect the line-ups to be announced in around five minutes.

Darwin Nunez will be hoping to start his second match in a row up front for Arne Slot, after scoring at the weekend against Bournemouth on his first of the season.

Arne Slot has already suggested Federico Chiesa could start for the first time since signing in summer, while Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal after Alisson’s injury. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo will hope to start after recent bench duty.

The Hammers might look to rotate after a sluggish start to their league season, with Carlos Soler and Danny Ings among those hoping to start. Niclas Fullkrug will miss out injured but otherwise Lopetegui has a full squad to choose from.

Arne Slot reveals challenge for Darwin Nunez to earn spot in Liverpool team

Arne Slot insists the goals will come for Darwin Nunez when he plays – but said the striker first needs to understand his tactical demands to get a spot in the side.

Nunez is on a 14-game goal drought for Liverpool and is yet to start a match under new manager Slot, with all four of his appearances this season coming as a substitute while the Dutchman is waiting to see if the £85m signing can do “special things” for his team.

Slot has preferred to use Diogo Jota in the centre of his attack and appreciates the Portugal international’s ability to drop deeper and join in the build-up play.

Slot reveals challenge for Darwin Nunez to earn spot in Liverpool team

Diogo Jota has been first choice up front for the Reds so far this term

Chris Wilson25 September 2024 18:30

With five goals in five games, Luis Diaz is reaping the rewards of Arne Slot’s quiet evolution

And here’s the report from Liverpool’s last match...

Liverpool are top of the league. But while that may only be for a day, more significantly, Liverpool are back on track. The tame home defeat to Nottingham Forest looks more of a one-game anomaly. After three goals in the San Siro came three at Anfield. As Bournemouth were beaten, like AC Milan before them, a week that began badly for Arne Slot has featured an impressive response.

And a success story of his fine start again illustrated Slot’s early impact. When the final whistle blew, Erling Haaland remained the Premier League’s runaway top scorer. So far, so predictable. What rather fewer would have expected when the season started was that Luis Diaz is his closest challenger. At times in his Liverpool career, the Colombian has provided everything but the goals. Now he has five in as many league matches for Slot: that average of one per game comes after a return of worse than one every four for the club before then.

A win made in South America also included Darwin Nunez’s first for Slot, as he made his maiden start under the Dutchman.

Chris Wilson25 September 2024 18:20

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Team news

Team news is coming up shortly.

Darwin Nunez will be hoping to start his second match in a row up front for Arne Slot, after scoring at the weekend against Bournemouth on his first of the season.

Arne Slot has already suggested Federico Chiesa could start for the first time since signing in summer, while Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal after Alisson’s injury. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo will hope to start after recent bench duty.

The Hammers might look to rotate after a sluggish start to their league season, with Carlos Soler and Danny Ings among those hoping to start. Niclas Fullkrug will miss out injured but otherwise Lopetegui has a full squad to choose from.