How Arnautovic can lead West Ham to a win at Anfield

West Ham face the daunting task of starting the season away at Liverpool. If key man Arnautovic can step up, they still have a chance at a positive result.

When the fixture list gave us the opening games of the Premier League, it wasn’t great to see Liverpool (A) as the result. With a poor record at Anfield, most West Ham fans would have enjoyed an easier start to the campaign. That being said, it’s not all doom and gloom.

There is much reason for optimism in the Hammers camp, with new stars in the lineup and a great manager leading them. But I think that the leading man from last season can be the key to a potential upset in the North West this Sunday. If we want to take anything from the game, Arnautovic is going to be the man to do it.

Fighting for Points

Although I expect the Hammers to bring a much better style to the Premier League this season than we did last year, this game we will need to be up for a fight. Liverpool have spent a lot in the transfer market as well, and their side looks a lot stronger than before. So we need to push them back.

Salah, Mane and Firmino represent one of the best attacking lineups in the Premier League. They are mobile and clinical, and can do damage without much support. So we must try and kill the supply into them wherever possible.

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I expect Arnautovic will start forward and central, acting as the focus for the Hammers. His biggest job will be to try and ruffle the Liverpool defenders a bit, just so the ball doesn’t get out of there in the most effective way. If he can get amongst Van Dijk and (predicted partner) Gomez, we may see the Liverpool midfield have to drop off slightly. This may knock out a steady supply to the danger men up front.

Put it Away

That being said, with Arnautovic up front, it is important that he gets the goals when opportunities arise. Liverpool will not give up much in the way of clear chances, and with a much improved keeper they will be a lot more resilient. Arnie has the ability to both unlock chances and take them.

We’ve seen in pre-season that he is willing to take shots on with both feet, and do his best to muscle defenders to get himself some space. If he can create some half chances for himself and put one away early, it will sow seeds of doubt in the Liverpool defence. Doubt will be necessary if the Hammers are to challenge the Champions League finalists on home turf.

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He’s not a one man army, but Marko Arnautovic will need to be at his best if Pellegrini’s tenure in East London is going to get off to a winning start. If he’s not feeling it, the Hammers are going to be under the cosh for almost the full 90 minutes.

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