Liverpool will be looking to build on 3 victories on the spin, with two in the Premier League, as they aim to rise from 5th place in the Premier League in a weekend that sees all top four sides playing against each other.
History
Last season the reds demolished West Ham 3-0 at Upton park, but the home game was one of those games that got away – the reds took a point from a 0-0 draw.
Liverpool took an early lead last season at West Ham thanks to Steven Gerrard, who then doubled the lead before half time when he netted from a rebound after Robert Green saved his penalty. Ryan Babel scored with 6 minutes left to go to make it 3-0.
Liverpool won the FA Cup in 2006 against West Ham after a late late equaliser from Steven Gerrard. The reds went on to win on penalties.
Stats
Liverpool have lost once against West Ham in the last 10 seasons which was away at West Ham in January 2008. A stoppage time penalty clinched the 3 points for them.
A victory for West Ham would even up the results on West Ham’s patch, Liverpool have 21 victories there to West Ham’s 20.
Head to head
Total
Liverpool – 62
West Ham – 23
Draw – 34
At West Ham
Liverpool – 21
West Ham – 20
Draw – 17
Injuries
Both Daniel Agger and Alberto Aquilani are still out for Liverpool. Fabio Aurelio should make his return to league action, as could Nabil El Zhar. Javier Mascherano should be back after missing last week’s victory over Burnley.
Luis Boa Morte is a definite non-started for the Hammers.
Form
West Ham are currently mid-table with 4 points from 4 games. They beat Wolves away on the opening day and have managed a draw against Blackburn away. They lost to Wigan at the JJB stadium and in their only home league game so far they were beaten by London rivals Spurs.
This will be West Ham’s first home game since the ugly scenes that marred the Carling Cup victory over Millwall.
Teams
Liverpool – (from) Reina, Cavalieri, Aurelio, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Lucas, El Zhar, Torres, Voronin.
Where Liverpool were ruthless last weekend against Burnley – they were wasteful in mid-week, defeating Debrecen 1-0 in the Champions League. Aurelio and Mascherano both got a couple of minutes of action from the bench and it will be interesting to see if the reds revert back to 4-5-1 or retain Gerrard alongside Lucas in a 4-4-2.
Possible starting XI – Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres.
West Ham– (last time out) Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Kovac (Behrami 63), Noble (Nouble 86), Parker, Stanislas (Diamanti 63), Cole, Hines. Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Payne.
Stanislas has already scored twice for West Ham this season.
TV
The match is on ESPN in the UK at 5.15pm.
Prediction
West Ham 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool appear to be blowing hot and cold so far this season. If the sequence continues then this weekend’s game should be ‘hot’.
However West Ham enjoy the visits of the big clubs and we expect a tougher clash than in May this year.
wonderful match win i didn’t see the match just missed because i was out but i saw the highlights wonderful match but Liverpool need to progress more to win barclays premier league