Liverpool vs West Ham: Match Preview

West Ham are Liverpool’s next opponents in the Premier League as David Moyes’s West Ham United face the Mighty Reds at Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool know that, with Manchester United facing Chelsea tomorrow, a win will take them second – at least temporarily. Meanwhile, West Ham are currently 12th in the league: 4 points above the relegation zone but 6th in the current form charts.

The match comes ten days after Liverpool hammered Porto 5-0 in Portugal in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 – arguably their best away performance of the season in all competitions.

PORTO, PORTUGAL – Wednesday, February 14, 2018: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the second goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st leg match between FC Porto and Liverpool FC on Valentine’s Day at the Estádio do Dragão. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool have almost a full strength squad available but Jurgen Klopp admitted a couple of players have minor problems. Emre Can is back from suspension and Joe Gomez is expected to return to the starting line-up, returning from a knee injury. Nathaniel Clyne is back in full training with the rest of the squad although Klopp is expected to ease him back slowly after his long absence.

West Ham are unbeaten in their last 3 away games but LFC have not lost in the Premier League at Anfield all season and Liverpool look to continue this good form this weekend. David Moyes has never won as a manager against Liverpool at Anfield.

READ MORE: Liverpool Have Nothing To Lose, Or To Fear In The Champions League

Stuart Attwell is the referee for game – the last time Attwell was in charge of an LFC game was in a controversial 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Liverpool are, however, yet to lose in the league when Attwell has been the referee. Before reds fans get too excited the 35 year old has only refereed Liverpool on two previous occasions.

Liverpool beat West Ham at the London stadium 4-1 in November. Mohammed Salah scored a brace in the win with  a rare goal for Cameroonian Joel Matip as he poked home after a Joe Hart save. Oxlade-Chamberlain bagged his first league goal for the Reds in what was a comfortable win. Manuel Lanzini got a consolation goal for the Hammers in the 55th minute.

LONDON, ENGLAND – Saturday, November 4, 2017: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates after his side’s fourth goal during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

This is the 137th recorded fixture between the two sides with Liverpool winning 72 of the previous fixtures. Liverpool have lost on 28 occasions and there has been 36 draws between the two teams.

The rest will have given the squad a good break and an opportunity to recharge their fitness: Klopp taking the squad out to Marbella for warm weather training during this time. I expect them to return with their high energy pressing and, come 5 o’clock, no less than 3 points will be good enough.

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Source: anfieldhq.com