Liverpool will host West Ham United in the EFL Cup third round at Anfield on Wednesday, looking to progress to the next stage.
Liverpool have picked up five wins from their last six matches in all competitions ahead of the visit of West Ham United to Anfield. The Reds have beaten AC Milan and Manchester United in their last few outings, and they will be confident of grinding out a good result here.
The home side will want to do well in the domestic competitions, and they will look to progress in the EFL Cup. On paper, Liverpool are the better team here, and they should be able to grind out a victory in front of their fans.
Meanwhile, West Ham United are coming into the game on the back of a defeat against Chelsea. The Hammers have picked up just two wins from the last six outings, and they will need to raise their performance levels to grind out a victory at Anfield. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Harvey Elliott misses out with an injury, and Alisson Becker remains sidelined with an injury he picked up in training. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against West Ham United, with Caoimhin Kelleher retaining his spot in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out in the attack and keep things compact defensively. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
Alexis Mac Allister will add creativity and control to the side alongside Ryan Gravenberch in the midfield double pivot. Gravenberch will look to control the tempo of the game. Dominik Szoboszlai will look to create goalscoring opportunities with his passing and vision in the final third. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will add goals and creativity from the wide areas, with Diogo Jota leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
West Ham United
West Ham United do not have any major injury concerns heading into this game. The Hammers will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Liverpool this past , with Alphonse Areola in goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things compact defensively and help out during counter-attacking situations. Max Kilman will start alongside Jean-Clair Todibo at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Guido Rodriguez will start alongside Edson Alvarez in the double pivot. They will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for their side. Mohammed Kudus will start in the central attacking midfield role, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities with his vision, flair and link-up play.
Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta will start in the wide areas. They will look to add creativity and goals from the flanks. Finally, the fit-again Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for West Ham United against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Emerson; Rodriguez, Alvarez; Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta; Fullkrug
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last eight home matches against West Ham United in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 14 of their last 17 matches against West Ham in all competitions.
- Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of their last ten matches against West Ham in all competitions.
- 19 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between Liverpool and West Ham.
- The last four matches between Liverpool and West Ham United have seen both teams get on the score sheet.
Player to Watch
Luis Diaz
The Colombian international is in phenomenal form right now, and he is our key player to watch out for. Diaz will look to add to his goal tally for the season when he is up against a vulnerable West Ham United defence.
The Liverpool winger has five goals in six appearances this season. So, it is hardly surprising the Reds want to tie him to a new contract. He will look to create all sorts of problems for West Ham with his pace, flair, and goalscoring ability.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United
Liverpool are the better team here, and they should be able to grind out a positive result at home. West Ham United are lacking in form and confidence right now, and they are likely to come up short once again.
The Hammers will look to put up a fight here, but the home team are in impressive form, and they have the confidence and momentum with them as well. A comprehensive victory for Liverpool is on the cards.
