The four Liverpool players with a huge point to prove against West Ham | OneFootball

With Liverpool currently in the midst of seven fixtures in three weeks between the international breaks, and the recent resurfacing of the debate around player safety, managers could be forgiven for seeing a Third Round League Cup match between two midweek Champions League fixtures as an opportunity to rotate.

Liverpool have excellent squad depth and a cacophony of players who will have been waiting for their chance to put 90 full minutes in the bank. With that said, there are some in the team who seriously have something to prove above others.

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Jarell Quansah

Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool

Jarell Quansah was Liverpool’s starting centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk to begin the season. With trust in him ever-increasing under former manager Jurgen Klopp, the decision to start him from day one will have built his relationship with new boss Arne Slot untold amounts.

This decision quickly unravelled after 45 minutes, with Quansah replaced by Ibrahima Konaté at half-time on the opening day, and the Englishman hasn’t seen the pitch for the Reds since.

Whilst there has clearly been a breakdown in trust between the two, it wouldn’t be too surprising for Quansah to be given significant minutes in this game. Slot had clearly seen something he liked in pre-season and that won’t just go away overnight.

Between highly important European and Premier League fixtures, this game might be Quansah’s best opportunity to prove he can learn exactly what Slot has wanted him to.

Darwin Nuñez

Darwin Nunez Arne Slot Liverpool

As ever, Darwin Nuñez cuts a confusing figure at Anfield. Handed his first start of the season at the weekend, the Uruguayan repaid Arne Slot’s trust with a truly sensational goal, chopping in from the right-hand side and finding the far corner with a curling, ranged effort. Anfield roared in delight as Nuñez literally shed a tear about breaking his goal drought.

Seemingly, however, this has answered no questions about Nuñez’s ability to lead the line for the Reds long term. His reputation as a wasteful-but-brilliant finisher hasn’t been dispelled, and Arne Slot is spoilt for choice in his attacking line currently. If he wants to prove that it’s Diogo Jota who should be making 20-minute cameos to see out the game, a noteworthy performance against West Ham will be necessary.

Wataru Endō

It’s been a strange time for Wataru Endō. The defensive midfielder has gone from a familiar face under Jurgen Klopp to exactly two minutes of game time in Arne Slot’s first six games in charge. Whilst his age could be a factor, and there is clearly something in his ability that Slot isn’t too keen on, the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch as a star performer to start the season has been critical in keeping the Japanese midfielder off the pitch.

Liverpool have a problem in that it seems they have no player who can replicate what Gravenberch has been doing in these opening six games. Forcing turnovers up the pitch and exploiting the attacking transition has been crucial to the Redmen’s success so far. If Endō does end up as a significant contributor this season, he will have to exploit any extended game time he is handed by proving he can be an apt deputy in the Gravenberch role.

Federico Chiesa

Football - FA Premier League - Manchester United, ManU FC v Liverpool FC MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 1, 2024: Liverpool s news signing Federico Chiesa during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda MANCHESTER Old Trafford GREATER MANCHESTER ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-09-01-Liverpool_Man_Utd-71

Federico Chiesa’s story is different to the players above: it is less that he has to prove he can contribute to the team, but what he can contribute to the team. The Italian attacker was signed as an opportunistic depth piece, and whilst no one expects him to muscle out Mo Salah on his preferred right-hand side, there is a feeling that, should he show that he can play to the level seen of him previously in Italy, Arne Slot may be forced to play him more regularly.

Chiesa’s first significant minutes in red came at the weekend with a 19-minute Anfield cameo whilst already 3-0 up on Bournemouth. The attacker had been on a ‘bespoke training plan’ before this, training with the under-21 setup during the international break and working to return to match fitness. With Liverpool’s attacking line finding itself in rotation, this league cup match against an ailing West Ham defence is a perfect opportunity to show his £12.5 million price tag was a steal.

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