Liverpool boss Arne Slot must drop three players after disappointing Fulham defeat

manager may need to shake up his starting lineup if his side are to bounce back to form against West Ham. The Reds were beaten 3-2 by on Sunday, throwing away the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table.

After Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring, goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz put Fulham in control at Craven Cottage. Luis Diaz then halved the deficit in the 72nd minute, but the Reds failed to draw level on a frustrating afternoon.

The performance will have given Slot plenty to ponder over, and three stars could be dropped as part of a reshuffle...

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool's midfield is in serious need of an injection of energy and flair, and that is likely to come at the expense of Szoboszlai. The Hungary international remains a stalwart at Anfield but has seen his influence dwindle in recent weeks, and it may be the ideal chance to give Harvey Elliott a start.

The playmaker replaced Szoboszlai after 55 minutes against Fulham and made a significant impact against his former club. Elliott could relish an extended spell in the starting XI, and it would truly indicate that he is not for sale this summer.

Curtis Jones

Jones has emerged with credit from his makeshift spell at right-back. However, the role does not bring out the best in the England international and a return to midfield beckons. With Conor Bradley managing 33 minutes over the weekend, the 21-year-old is expected to be fit to start against the Hammers in the continued absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez.

Diogo Jota

When Mohamed Salah isn't firing - as he wasn't against Fulham - then Liverpool truly struggle. A goal in the Merseyside derby last week put an end to Jota's drought in front of goal, but the Portuguese international is struggling on more than just that front.

With Cody Gakpo now fully fit, a change in the No. 9 role appears necessary to knit together the Liverpool frontline and bring out the best in Salah. With the Netherlands international playing centrally, there is an opportunity for Diaz to return to the starting lineup now that he has returned to form.