Liverpool vs West Ham United: English Premier League Match Preview
Liverpool take on West Ham United in their next league game. Anfield has been a notoriously hard place for the Londoners. They have won just once in their last 46 games here and have failed to score in 31 of them. Jurgen Klopp’s side has been dominant in the league this season and are unlikely to drop points at home.
A win will help the Reds to not only equal Manchester City’s streak of most consecutive wins in a row (18) but also overtake the Sky Blues’ record of most consecutive home wins (20).
More importantly, it will ensure Liverpool regain their 22-point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s side in the title race. Liverpool need just 15 more points to ensure that the league title makes its way to Anfield after a long wait of 30 years.
West Ham are currently in 18th place, a point away from safety. David Moyes is familiar with Anfield, having been a manager at Everton. However, he has won just five of the 32 times he has faced the Reds.
Liverpool won 4-0 in the corresponding fixture last season with Sadio Mane scoring a brace.
Team News
Liverpool
Jordan Henderson is the biggest name on the injury list as the Liverpool skipper is ruled out for three weeks due to a hamstring injury. Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne are still out injured.
West Ham
Ryan Fredericks is ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury against Man City.
Andriy Yarmolenko is still injured while Jack Wilshere is out for the season.
Predicted XI
Liverpool
Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
West Ham United
Lukasz Fabianski, Pablo Zabaleta, Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Robert Snodgrass, Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Sebastien Haller.
Players to watch
Sadio Mane
The Senegalese superstar will be raring to go following his frustrating trip to Madrid. The 27-year old was substituted at half time as a precaution.
The 27-year-old has continued from where he left off last season. He has scored 14 goals and seven assists in 35 games this season and alongside Andrew Robertson has often terrorized the opposition right flank into submission.
The reigning African player of the year is a tough customer to handle with his pace and trickery. His ability to run directly at the defenders also opens up space for Roberto Firmino and Robertson to run into sowing confusion in the opposition ranks.
With Ryan Fredericks injured, the ageing Pablo Zabaleta is likely to have his hands full chasing shadows the entire night. Mane scored a brace in the corresponding fixture last season.
Jarrod Bowen
The January signing was left on the bench against Manchester City midweek, playing only the last 10 minutes on his Premier League debut. The 23-year-old has impressed at Hull City in the Championship before making the step up.
The winger scored 16 goals and seven assists in 29 appearances for the Tigers and isn’t short of skill or match fitness. It will be a momentous occasion for the youngster if he makes his full Premiership debut at Anfield. He could either use it as a platform to show his ability or wither under the pressure.
With just 12 games left to go to save their season, West Ham have to fight for their lives. The winger’s tasks will not be easy with him primarily having to face Robertson and Virgil van Dijk on the Liverpool left.
More Liverpool News
- Jamie Carragher urges Liverpool to go big on Jadon Sancho and Timo Werner
- Jordan Henderson a major doubt for West Ham clash
- Brendan Rodgers denies Leicester City have approached Adam Lallana
A good crosser of the ball, he can provide a number of opportunities for Sebastian Haller. He will also have chances to hot Liverpool on the counter with his pace. His ability to play in the hole will also be an advantage for the player if he is forced to drift infield.
