Liverpool vs West Ham United: Jurgen Klopp plotting first-team changes ahead of Reds' FA Cup fourth round clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to ring in changes when his side welcome West Ham United to Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The clash against the Hammers will be the Reds' fifth game in 13 days. It comes just three days after their grueling clash against Stoke City in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals, which they won to set up a final clash against Manchester City.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the former Borussia Dortmund manager will omit a number of first-team stars, who have played regularly in the last four games and turn to members in the first-team squad, who have been used sparingly in recent weeks. The Merseyside club face a crucial clash against Premier League leaders Leicester City on Tuesday (2 February) and the manager will be keen to keep his team fresh ahead of their trip to the King Power Stadium.

The club's injury crisis is slowly but surely easing with Dejan Lovren set to return to the starting lineup after making an appearance from the bench during their clash against the Potters in the League Cup, while Nathaniel Clyne could return after the manager admitted that his injury was not too serious, and take over from Jon Flanagan, who made his first start in 20 months against the Potters. Steven Caulker could also be in line for his start following his arrival from Queens Park Rangers earlier in the month.

Apart from the trio, Christian Benteke, Joe Allen and Jordon Ibe along with youngsters Joao Carlos Teixeira and Cameron Brannagan could come under consideration for a starting spot against Slaven Bilic's team on Saturday. The manager, however, will be wary of changing his team too much against one of the Premier League's form team West Ham.

Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, continues to struggle to convince the manager with regards to his fitness and availability for selection. He has missed 13 matches since he picked up a hamstring injury at the start of December last year.