Liverpool could be without six players for West Ham as crucial double update awaited

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCA look at the latest Liverpool injury news ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham UnitedLiverpool made the most of Chelsea's slip-up in drawing 1-1 at home to Burnley by turning up the heat in the race for Champions League qualification with a last-gasp 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest. But the Reds' Merseyside rivals were unable to do them a favour the following evening.Manchester United's 1-0 win at Everton means they moved three points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Liverpool and intriguingly, within three points of third-placed Aston Villa, who could soon find themselves being dragged into the battle for a top-four finish.For now all the defending champions can do is concentrate on themselves.

And while the performance at the City Ground was not one to remember, the win, secured courtesy of a dramatic 97th-minute Alexis Mac Allister strike, made it nine points from the last available 12.READ MORE: Inside story on Rio Ngumoha as Liverpool rising star gives first interviewREAD MORE: Liverpool cannot afford to break up key partnership as another summer of change loomsAnd the Reds have the perfect opportunity to continue their winning run with the visit of third-from-bottom West Ham United to Anfield on Saturday, which is followed by a trip to basement boys Wolves on Tuesday.But the victory over Forest did prove just how much Liverpool missed Florian Wirtz, who pulled out of Arne Slot's starting line-up moments before kick-off after hurting his back in the warm-up.Speaking after the match, Reds boss Slot suggested the knock was not serious, while the playmaker himself has offered a hint that he could return for the clash with the relegation-threatened Hammers.But it won't be until Slot sits in front of the media later this week until it is known whether Wirtz will be fit to feature.The same applies to Jeremie Frimpong, who has been sidelined since coming off in the Champions League clash against Qarabag last month. Again, though, that won't be confirmed until his manager holds his pre-match press conference.But we can already rule out four Liverpool players.

Alexander Isak is stepping up his recovery, but certainly won't be ready, while Wataru Endo is out long term along with Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, who won't play again this season.Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.Liverpool FCWest Ham United FCBarclay's Premier League