Predicted line-up: Changes necessary for Bilic as West Ham take on Liverpool

Slaven Bilic will be forced into changes when his West Ham United side host Liverpool in Saturday’s late Premier League kick off.

Michail Antonio and Sam Byram have both suffered injuries in training this week and will not be available for selection, the Croatian boss told his pre-match press conference, as reported by the club’s official website.

That leaves the Hammers short of options on the right flank, with Pablo Zabaleta already ruled out through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in last weekend’s draw at Crystal Palace.

With that in mind it remains to be seen whether Bilic will stick with a 3-5-2 formation or revert to a four-man defence for the visit of the Reds.

If it is the former, Marko Arnautovic could be recalled to the starting XI on the right wing, whilst Aaron Cresswell, who was substituted at half-time at Selhurst Park with a dead leg, has been passed fit to play on the opposite side.

The Irons are also struggling at centre-back; Jose Fonte took to Instagram to confirm he will be out for up to three months with a foot problem suffered against the Eagles and James Collins also remains sidelined.

The return of Winston Reid is therefore timely; the vice-captain missed last Saturday’s clash but is back and should return to the side.

Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew both found the net a week ago and are likely to start up top.

Liverpool arrive at the London Stadium on the back of two comfortable 3-0 wins and look to be on their way back to the kind of form that had many punters predicting a title challenge at the start of the campaign.

It will certainly be a tough test for West Ham, particularly given the frustration of dropping two points at the death against Palace last time out.

Predicted West Ham starting XI (3-5-2): Hart; Reid, Kouyate, Ogbonna; Arnautovic, Noble, Lanzini, Fernandes, Cresswell; Ayew, Hernandez