Liverpool will take on West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday, desperate to get back to winning ways.
Liverpool are coming into the game against West Ham United on the back of a disappointing defeat against Everton in the Merseyside Derby earlier this week, and the players will be desperate to bounce back.
The title race is beyond Liverpool now, and the Reds will focus on finishing this season as strongly as possible. West Ham United are in poor form as well, and they have picked up just one win from the last six league matches. They have lost their last two Premier League games, and the home fans will be expecting a strong reaction from the players.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham can take advantage of Liverpool’s vulnerabilities and pile further misery on them. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
George Earthy is the only long-term injury problem for West Ham here with a face injury. Other than that, David Moyes will have a fully fit squad to choose from. West Ham are likely to shape up in 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alphonse Areola in goal.
Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri will start as the full-backs. They will look to protect the central defenders and hit Liverpool on the break. Kurt Zouma will form the central defensive pairing alongside Angelo Ogbonna.
As for the midfield unit, Edson Alvarez will start alongside Tomas Soucek. The two players will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for their side. Lucas Paqueta will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus will be deployed in the wide areas. They will look to add goals and creativity from the flanks. Finally, Michail Antonio will lead the line for West Ham against Liverpool.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Palmieri; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio
Liverpool
Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will not play again season due to their respective long-term injuries. Conor Bradley misses out with ankle injury, while Diogo Jota is sidelined with a muscle injury.
Liverpool will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
In the middle of the park, Wataru Endo will start as the defensive midfielder, and he will look to shield the back four. Harvey Elliott and Alexis Mac Allister will look to add creativity and control on either side of him. Darwin Nunez will lead the line for Liverpool here, with Mohamed Salah on his right and Luis Diaz on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won nine of their last ten matches against West Ham in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 13 of their last 16 matches against West Ham in all competitions.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- West Ham are winless in five of their last six Premier League matches.
- West Ham have conceded 12 goals in their last six outings.
- Liverpool have conceded nine goals in their last six outings.
Player to Watch
Jarrod Bowen
The 27-year-old West Ham attacker has been in impressive form this season, scoring 15 goals and picking up five assists in the Premier League. He will look to add to his goalscoring tally against a vulnerable Liverpool defence. The Hammers will need him to step up if they want to grind out all three points here, and he is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
West Ham United 2-1 Liverpool
Both teams are in disappointing form right now, and this will be a close contest. West Ham United will be hurting after their recent performances, and they will be desperate to bounce back.
A win over Liverpool could give them the confidence boost to finish the season strongly. Liverpool are completely devoid of confidence and form right now, and this will be a tricky away game for them. The home team might be able to edge a narrow win in front of their fans this week.
