---
title: "Liverpool team news: Joe Gomez handed surprise start as Arne Slot makes Rio Ngumoha decision"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/liverpool-confirmed-lineup-west-ham-joe-gomez-rio-ngumoha/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kelan Sarson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2026-02-28T14:40:09Z"
modified: "2026-02-28T14:40:13Z"
---

# Liverpool team news: Joe Gomez handed surprise start as Arne Slot makes Rio Ngumoha decision

**Arne Slot has made one change to the Liverpool side that narrowly beat Nottingham 1-0 Forest last weekend, as West Ham United face off against the Reds in the 3pm kick-off at Anfield.**

Liverpool will be confident that they can get the better of another relegation candidate this afternoon, with [Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2026/02/27/liverpool-vs-west-ham-prediction-lineups-team-news/) lingering in the bottom three spots in the competitive division, heading into this big tie.

Winning the clash would put Slot’s men back into the top-four conversations in the league, ahead of both their rivals in Manchester United and Chelsea playing tomorrow.

> 🏠❤️ [pic.twitter.com/mPuglfrNBb](https://t.co/mPuglfrNBb)
>
> — Liverpool FC (@LFC) [February 28, 2026](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/2027725412835504306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Alisson remains in between the sticks for this vital game at both ends of the division, as he looks to keep yet another clean sheet, but there is a slight reshuffling in the defensive positions, away from the Brazilian.

Indeed, Joe Gomez has reentered into Slot’s XI in the right back position, with [Jeremie Frimpong](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2026/02/27/florian-wirtz-injury-update-arne-slot/)still clearly not ready for the intensity of a Premier League contest just yet.

Alongside the Englishman, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk start in the centre-back spots, while Milos Kerkez remains at left-back.

The Dutchman would have loved to call upon [Florian Wirtz](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2026/02/27/florian-wirtz-injury-update-arne-slot/) in the number ten role for this clash with the Hammers, but with injury difficulties ruling him out, Dominik Szoboszlai will start in this more advanced spot, after recently filling in as a full-back.

> The Reds to take on West Ham United 🔴 [#LIVWHU](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVWHU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Liverpool FC (@LFC) [February 28, 2026](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/2027741828762792441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Unsurprisingly, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch make up the two holding midfield positions, while Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah are also kept in the main team, even though there was talk about [Rio Nguhoma](https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/arne-slot-rio-ngumoha-liverpool-starting-update/) coming into the XI with Salah currently nine games without a goal.

Further, to finish the starting lineup, Hugo Ekitike leads the line, with Gomez sticking out as the only alteration.

Nguhoma does sit on the substitutes bench for this one, though, as he looks to potentially make an impact if needed late on, just like he did against Newcastle United in late August and last Sunday.

> 𝟏𝟔-𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑-𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐇𝐀 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱\
> \
> This is why we 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 the Premier League — WHAT A Game 🤯 [pic.twitter.com/kDA9NdCT7P](https://t.co/kDA9NdCT7P)
>
> — 433 (@433) [August 25, 2025](https://twitter.com/433/status/1960088069610295566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Alongside the youngster, the likes of Andy Robertson, Federico Chiesa, and the aforementioned Frimpong, who is fit enough to watch on, make up the other personnel Slot could throw into the game.

**Starting Xl:** [#LFC](https://x.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hashtag_click) Xl v West Ham: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.

**Subs:** Mamardashvili, Woodman, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha