Liverpool host West Ham United this weekend as they look to make it 4 wins in 4 and extend their unbeaten run at the fortress that is Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are in dire need of defensive reinforcements as they host a rejuvenated West ham United at home this Saturday in the Premier League. The game that promises to be an exciting one, as Liverpool look to reach the top of the table while West Ham hope to continue their impeccable form.
Since the 7-2 drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa and a draw in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool have recorded three hard-fought victories on the trot, with new signing Diogo Jota impressing. Despite the problems at the back, Liverpool’s new front four looks extremely promising.
West Ham had a difficult fixture list to begin their season with and after the loss to Newcastle on opening day, many people already tipped the Hammers for relegation. Since then, the Hammers have picked up some comprehensive wins and earned well-deserved draws versus the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City.
? Longest unbeaten home runs in English top division history:
86 Chelsea (2004-08)
63 Liverpool (1978-80)
62* Liverpool (2017-)*W51 D11, scoring 164 goals (Salah 50), conceded 41
? Live SNF: Liverpool v West Ham
⏲️ Saturday from 5pm, @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/mNFxl5ZnLe— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 30, 2020
The corresponding fixture last year was an entertaining goal-fest as Liverpool completed a sensational comeback to win 3-2. This season, the same match promises more of the same.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool go into thick of games before the international break with an extremely depleted backline. Talisman Virgil Van Dijk is out for the season, makeshift centre-back Fabinho picked up a hamstring injury and could be out for 3 weeks approximately.
Youngster Rhys Williams came on for Fabinho in Champions League clash versus Midtjylland and impressed many. His name could make its way to the teamsheet. Both Thiago and Keita have begun training but Klopp has assured that he plans to ease them into matches, so starts for the midfield duo this weekend looks unlikely.
? @Thiago6 stepping up his recovery from injury… pic.twitter.com/CK2Zh2F3Ta
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 26, 2020
The most excited bit of all is the new front four Liverpool seemed to have employed. Mo Salah is playing as the furthest man on the pitch, with Jota and Mane deployed on the wings. Creator Firmino seems to play in an attacking midfield role, just like his Hoffenheim days.
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold would look to improve on the numbers achieved so far this season. A clean sheet would do Liverpool’s confidence a world of good, and if these mighty full-backs produce attacking numbers, the game could become one-sided.
Probable Lineup(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Robertson, Gomez, Williams, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Jota; Salah
West Ham United
One of the feel-good stories of the Premier League this season, West Ham have shown signs that they are not a team to be taken lightly. After some respectable results versus difficult oppositions, they are sitting just outside the top half of the table.
Moyes will miss the injured Antonio who has lead their team with sheer power and belief. His work ethic is crucial to the way West Ham function, and while Haller is an able footballer, it would be a hard task to replace someone like Antonio.
Vladamir Coufal has been a shrewd signing so far impressing versus Tottenham and Man City. The right-back has a greater license to advance forward in a back five and has 2 assists in the last 2 games.
Said Benrahma, another exceptional signing for the Hammers, is yet to make his first start. It is believed that Moyes and his team are still waiting for him to get up to speed with the Premier League.
West Ham certainly have the chance to get something from this game, and a lot would be riding on Jarrod Bowen’s shoulders who has been one of their best players of the season.
Probable Lineup(5-4-1): Fabianski; Masuaku, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Coufal; Lanzini, Rice, Soucek, Bowen; Haller.
Key Stats
- Liverpool have not lost against West Ham in their last 8 games in the league, winning 6 and drawing 2.
- Liverpool have a 62 game unbeaten streak at Anfield and a win versus West Ham would make it 28 wins in the last 29 games.
- Sadio Mane is set to make his 200th Premier League appearance and also boasts a record of 5 goals and 3 assists vs West Ham.
- The Hammers won 3-0 at Anfield in August 2015 but that is their only victory in their past 47 league games away to the Reds.
- West Ham are unbeaten in four top-flight matches, with all of those games coming against opponents who finished in the top seven last season – defeating Wolves and Leicester, while drawing Man City and Tottenham.
Player to Watch
Rhys Williams
Peter Crouch: “I’ve got to give a shoutout to Rhys Williams. He came on and didn’t put a foot wrong.” #awlfc [bt] pic.twitter.com/P9zMwNiT0X
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) October 27, 2020
An obvious option would be the frontline stars Mane or Salah for Liverpool, but the one player to look out for on Saturday would be Rhys Williams, who is in line to make his Premier League debut. The youngster made an appearance versus Ajax in the Champions League this season after the injury to Fabinho, and he is expected to start centrally against West Ham.
There are a lot of rumours about Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back with van Dijk out for a long time and Matip seemingly never fit. It’s in Williams’ hands to change those every time he gets an opportunity and he would be looking to make a difference in every game.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
I think that the absence of Antonio will hurt West Ham too much and they will lack that sting on the counterattacks. Moyes is going to set up deep, but I think the Liverpool full-backs are going to have a huge role, and the addition of Jota in that front four will play a massive role in breaking down West Ham. The sooner Liverpool score, the more goals they will get.
