Charlie Malam: Last week's disappointment in the FA Cup, combined with the fact that Manchester City picked up the three points in the league at the same time - means that these last few games of the season may be relatively meaningless.
City look unlikely to drop enough points to allow Liverpool to leapfrog them into fourth, so these last few league games probably serve as a chance for the side to preserve some pride and finish a poor campaign, strongly.
Brendan Rodgers' constant tinkering of the system showed that he probably wasn't quite sure just how to approach Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa, but this Saturday will be a different matter.
Mathematically, West Brom could still go down, but they won't. Tony Pulis of all people will know that, but he's had a good track record against us on home turf - as have the Baggies in recent seasons.
So whilst on paper this tie is rather uneventful for both sides, there are still things that both can play for. With that in mind, Liverpool need to approach the game as if they are still very much in that top-four race.
Steven Gerrard's starting last weekend was a mistake and even though he only has a few games left of his Liverpool career, Rodgers cannot repeat it at the Hawthorns. But with Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho both out, the Northern Irishman will certainly be forced into a reshuffle in the centre of defence and midfield.
Myself, I'd revert back to a 3-4-3 - abandoning the midfield three that Rodgers has recently fielded, opting back for the duo of Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson that served the Reds well in that unbeaten streak. At the back - with Sakho out, Dejan Lovren comes in to take his left-sided position whilst Emre Can is on the right-side.
The Croatian was little short of disastrous at Wembley, from half-heartedly trying to prevent Fabian Delph from giving his side the lead to his hopeless injury-time shot from distance that flew spectacularly wide. But the £20million centre-back has very little competition for his role. Kolo Toure is an option certainly, but his days at Anfield look numbered after hesitating to sign a new one-year deal - so Rodgers may be best served looking to salvage something from Lovren's first-year on Merseyside. After all, it looks like he'll be here next season too. Again, with Emre Can - the German midfielder is naturally better served as a midfielder, but a back two of Lovren and Skrtel is a more dangerous mix than bleach and ammonia. For the good of the team - Can is in the back three.
As I mentioned earlier, my central trio is Allen and Henderson. They performed well before the Reds began to crumble and without Lucas to shield the defence, they're probably the best bet since we've found that Gerrard's ability to adequately perform the defensive midfield role has distinguished.
The 3-4-3 sees the return of wing-backs and with Jordon Ibe back in full flow, he comes into the side on the right. This is the position where was saw the 19-year-old at his devastating best before that injury setback, and he'll cause Albion all kinds of problems. On the other side, Alberto Moreno is the only realistic pick with his only other realistic competitor Jon Flanagan, not yet match fit enough.
Further ahead, Adam Lallana's return to fitness poses a question - but he doesn't get in my team. I'd opt for the unpopular figure of Lazar Markovic instead. The Serbian's split opinion in recent weeks, but has been made a scapegoat of with the half-time substitutions. With these last few games less important, Markovic could really benefit from the extra playing time he so obviously needs.
Alongside him in the attacking midfield role, Philippe Coutinho is a guaranteed starter for reasons I hardly need to delve into. There's been a debate over whether he deserves his PFA Player of the Year spot on the shortlist, given his numbers, but his general influence in a game (when he's at his best) is what makes him a regular first-teamer for Rodgers. At the form he's been in recently, it'd be daft to leave him out.
Then - up-front, Raheem Sterling. Whilst Mario Balotelli's cameo showed promise last week, his Anfield career was all but decided a long, long time ago and it's difficult to see him being handed a starting spot here, so to be more realistic - Sterling leads the line. Not always the most clinical of forwards, but the Reds have been at their best as a unit with him at the fore.
That's what Liverpool need against Pulis' West Brom side - a collective, pressing, hard-working side, or else it may be another afternoon of disappointment.
Charlie's team (3-4-3): Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Henderson, Ibe, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling.
Ollie Emmerson: Liverpool reverted to a three man defence last Sunday against Aston Villa, and eventually changed systems four times in the 2-1 defeat. Due to that, it makes perfect sense to switch back the to the four man back line that proved successful against Newcastle and Blackburn, keeping consecutive clean sheets.
Simon Mingolet naturally starts in goal, with Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno coming into the full-back positions. It looks like Manquillo's time at Liverpool may be up after not making many appearances during his loan spell, but the youngster has impressed me when he's played and I would like him to be given another crack of the whip. Mamadou Sakho's hamstring injury will keep him out of the game, so I would partner Dejan Lovren with Martin Skrtel as I'd just about choose the Serb over Kolo Toure.
The reason for that, is because I would like to see Emre Can finally ushered into his preferred midfield role, alongside Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson. After last week's derisory performance, Steven Gerrard could probably do with a game spent on the bench. My front there is a slight surprise, as I opt to take Raheem Sterling out of the team. Sterling hasn't played all that well recently, and it might bring him back down to earth somewhat as his contract situation continues to make headlines.
Mario Balotelli is my preferred option as the striker, with Jordan Ibe, back after being cup-tied last weekend, to the right of him. On the left is Phillipe Coutinho, but the Brazilian would be allowed to do as he pleases, dropping into space and picking up the ball.
Ollie's team (4-3-3): Mignolet, Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Can, Henderson, Coutinho, Balotelli, Ibe.
Calum Paton: Yet another disappointing result, this time against Aston Villa in the semi-final of the FA cup, leaves Brendan Rodgers with yet another selection headache leading up to this weekend's trip to West Brom.
Rodgers started the game at Wembley on Sunday with a back three, however it was clear from the off that the system wasn't working and a 4-3-3 formation was adopted after an early spell of Villa pressure. For this reason, it's hard to see Rodgers sticking with the 3-4-3.
Simon Mignolet will obviously keep his place in goal for Liverpool, but the back four in front of him definitely doesn't pick itself. Martin Skrtel is probably the only defender guaranteed his game when available, with nobody else showing the same level of performance and consistency as the Slovakian. Glen Johnson may get the nod at right back, as he appears to be Rodgers' preference ahead of Javier Manquillo, however I would much prefer to see the Spaniard get a chance. In what was a very poor first half of the season for Liverpool, Manquillo was never really one of the poorer performers, but suffered from the formational change and has been frozen out ever since.
When Liverpool played with a back four at the start of the season, Manquillo always looked defensively sound, and that is what's required at this moment. Alberto Moreno will likely keep his place on the left but not really on any performance based merit, but more because of the extreme shortage of alternatives. Emre Can could play once again at centre back, but I would opt for Dejan Lovren to partner Skrtel despite his awful performance against Villa. This is simply to allow Can a place in the team further forward.
That brings us to the midfield. In the absence of Lucas Leiva, it would definitely make sense to slot Emre Can into the sitting midfield role, breaking up play and controlling the games tempo. Steven Gerrard tried and failed (miserably) to play this role at Wembley and was more or less anonymous for the vast majority of the game. As tremendous a player as Gerrard has been for Liverpool over the years, he is not contributing anything positive to the team when he plays right now, so should not be starting. Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson have both played a lot of games recently, and both have performed well with the odd poor game now and again.
For this match, Henderson will definitely start as captain. The midfielder has just tied down a new contract and will be fired up to prove his worth. Allen on the other hand, could maybe do with a break given the amount of gameplay he has had, and also because of his poor performance against Villa (although he was certainly not the only one.)
This gives the chance for Philippe Coutinho to slot back into a more central midfield role. The PFA Player of the Year nominee played quite a few games last season in this slightly deeper role and always managed to impress. His all round game has definitely improved this season, adding a high pressure style to his defensive work and he seems to give an extra 10% every time he steps on the pitch now. His great run of form and ability to turn a game on it's head really means that he should be at the centre of everything Liverpool are doing, so this role will allow him to control the game on his own and create chances for the front three.
Despite being just 19 years old, and having played just a handful of senior games for Liverpool, it would be fair to say that the Reds missed winger Jordon Ibe's fearless attitude and style of play on Sunday. Since returning from his loan move to Derby County, Ibe has shown some real examples of his talent and ability, and having him back in the side after being cup tied will be a huge boost. On the opposite flank from Ibe, Raheem Sterling will more than likely keep his place in the team. One of many under -performers at Wembley, Raheem has a big point to prove as contract talks and rumours about a departure continue to build.
A player with undoubted talent, Sterling is a must have in the Liverpool line up, no matter what is going on off the field. Filling in the striker role has been a difficult choice for Liverpool most weeks. Daniel Sturridge is still struggling with the injury that kept him out of the semi final, so will most likely miss this trip to The Hawthorns as well. Mario Balotelli came on as a half time substitute on Sunday, and despite all of the stereotypes about his character and attitude, the Italian looked like one of the few Liverpool players on the pitch who really cared about his side going out. Balotelli is another player with a big point to prove, and after scoring a completely legitimate goal that should've taken the semi to extra time had it not been for a poor call by the linesman, the striker will be as fired up as ever to get himself on the scoresheet.
Calum's team (4-3-3): Mignolet; Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Can, Henderson, Coutinho; Ibe, Balotelli, Sterling.
Mosope Ominiyi: After a disappointing defeat at the hands of Aston Villa last Sunday, Liverpool need to bounce back, and quickly. Brendan Rodgers' managerial post is being mentioned under scrutiny once more, which is quite unfair in my opinion, for someone that has done a decent job thus far in his spell with the Reds.
West Brom have improved under Tony Pulis recently, and will be hoping they can replicate what their west Midlands rivals did to Liverpool, this weekend. However, if Rodgers gets his tactics, and his team right, there should be no reason as to why the visitors should not take all three points.
There is no reason as to why Jordon Ibe does not deserve to start the game in truth, as his blistering pace and close-control dribbling will be too much to handle for the Baggies once he is unleashed
The pressure will not be focused on Sterling as much, with another speedster potentially alongside him (3-4-1-2), or just behind him on the wing in a 3-4-3 formation.
Henderson and Allen will sit in midfield, Moreno and Markovic the wing-backs with Coutinho the creator in the hub of midfield.
With this line-up, there is no reason why Liverpool cannot win.
Mosope's team (3-4-1-2): Mignolet, Moreno, Can, Lovren, Skrtel, Markovic, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Ibe, Sterling.