What shape would best serve West Ham against Liverpool?

West Ham’s first Premier League game will be against freescoring Liverpool, away at Anfield. What shape will be best for the Hammers in this first matchup?

After the excitement of West Ham’s signings has sunk in, and the pre-season is coming to a close, reality will hit in just under two weeks. The Hammers will travel to Anfield looking to get Pellegrini’s tenure off to a flying start. But how should he line-up? Gone is the 5 at the back, the Hammers are looking further forward now than last season.

We posted an article a week or so ago putting forward a potential lineup, but there is a lot of debate. Within that, it seems to mainly focus on one area. Should Pellegrini go with 2 central midfielders, or three? Fight fire with fire, or attempt to douse the Liverpool flames?

Two in the Middle?

A lot of fans, buoyed by the attacking intent shown by the Hammers in pre-season, are pushing for two central midfielders to be used. This would allow an extra attacker to be used in countering Liverpool’s threat, pinning them back to stop their free flowing forward movement.

It would be likely that the Hammers would go with either Noble & Rice or Noble and Wilshere in this set-up, looking to hold the midfield area, but allowing one midfielder slightly further forward to open up the passing range. If the two are not disciplined, we could leave a massive hole in the middle, especially if the man playing in the No.10 role doesn’t cover in front of them.

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Whilst this formation could push the Reds back, it could backfire if they get an early goal. Their ability to break at pace (see last years clash at the London stadium for details) is well noted, and discipline would not be able to slip at all if this was the chosen shape.

A Secure Three?

The three in the middle would provide a secure base for all attacks, and would stabilise our defence. A likely combination of Wilshere and Noble playing in front of Rice/Obiang would give a lot of fluidity and structure, allowing us to hold the ball well.

In attack Wilshere would be free to roam further forward and support the attacks, operating in a creative position in the absence of Lanzini. If worked correctly, having these 3 midfielders deeper and moving forward with the ball can catch the opposition off balance. However it can also leave the attacking three isolated and rigid if there isn’t enough support.

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For me it very much depends on how Pellegrini is feeling. Does he think he can get away with a bit of a dice roll? If yes, he will go for two central midfielders and ask his attack to be the sword to keep Liverpool at bay. If not, he will shield his defence with that extra player, but look to play good football all the same.