Preview: Liverpool vs West Ham United
Liverpool head back home to take on West Ham United in the Premier League.
LIVERPOOL VS. WEST HAM UNITED
| Sunday, April 13th |
Premier League | Anfield
2PM GMT/9AM EST
The games are counting down. Liverpool currently remain on top of the league table by double digits, though that could change by the end of Saturday, depending on how Arsenal’s game against Brentford goes. With only seven games to go, the Reds are the obvious favorites to take the title this season. However, I think it’s fair to say that no fan is comfortable yet.
Liverpool’s loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage last week delayed the wait to clinch the trophy. Liverpool will be looking to return to winning ways when they host West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
The good news that will have the crowd buoyant is the recently revealed news of Mohamed Salah’s new Liverpool contract. The Egyptian superstar has continued to prove his worth this season. He leads the league in both goals and assists by a solid margin, showing that being nearly 33 years old hasn’t slowed him down.
West Ham sit in 16th place, just about safely securing a Premier League spot next season. They haven’t won a game since the end of February, when they did the Reds a favor by beating Arsenal 1-0. In the last four games, though, they’ve managed two draws and two losses in their last four games.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Alisson should finally be ready to return in goal, having adhered to concussion protocols after returning early from international duty in March. Another welcome return will be Conor Bradley at right-back. Part of the problem faced by Arne Slot recently has been the lack of a senior right-back at his disposal. Trent Alexander-Arnold is still unavailable, but Bradley can finally fill that void in the interim.
Along with Alexander-Arnold, Slot is without Tyler Morton and Joe Gomez.
On the other side, Graham Potter has Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio, and Crysencio Summerville out injured.
What the Managers Had to Say
Arne Slot: “Yes, it does. Of course it’s a boost, it’s always a boost when quality players come back. Especially quality players in that position, because I think Curtis Jones is a quality player but it’s not his favourite position. So to have a player in his favourite position is always – not always - but might be better for the team. And Conor has done so well for us this season, just like Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. But when Trent then isn’t there, you always hope to look behind you and see that Conor is available.
Graham Potter: They’ve lost their last game but won the previous four in the Premier League. They’ve still got work to do, but they’re rightly at the top of the league. We have to be the best version of ourselves to have a chance.”
The Officials
Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Mat Wilkes. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith.
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