West Ham travels to Anfield to take on the EPL Champions Liverpool on Matchday seven. The Hammers are in form and have a chance to scare the Reds on Halloween Night.
Liverpool may have some injuries but will still prove to be a difficult match for West Ham. But make sure to look out for these four things.
Antonio OUT / Sebastian Haller IN
Center Forward Michael Antonio came off after 52 minutes vs Man City clutching his always wonky hamstring. When you have the power and pace of Antonio, something has to give and its usually his hammy. He is a serious doubt for this one. Luckily, West Ham have a like for like sub in Sebastian Haller ready to take his spot.
Or is it like for like? Haller is more in the model of a traditional striker than Antonio. His hold up play is strong. He wins aerial battles against central defenders. But he does not have the pace of Antonio. He doesn’t run into channels or under long balls and he has nowhere near Antonio’s work rate. He also isn’t the bully Antonio is. But he can score though. 5 goals in all comps. But very little League action thus far.
If Haller does go in; many are saying that the Hammers have to change their current style of play to best fit him because he needs the service to succeed that Antonio can create on his own. That could lead to the season debut of new signing Said Benrahma in for Pablo Fornals.
Will Said Benrahma make his Debut
David Moyes doesn’t like to change a winning side, but the playmaking ability Said Benrahma will be needed if Haller is the centre forward of choice for Moyes.
Fornals has done nothing wrong and his work rate and defensive coverage ability along the left side has been a key piece of this 3-4-3 formation and current Irons form. He’s really allowed Arthur Masuaku to do his Masuaku things.
But Benrahma by all accounts is a playmaker the club hasn’t had the services of since the 2016 days of Dimitri Payet. He has the skills to break down defenders on the dribble and can create space for his teammates, namely Seb Haller. And with Liverpool being down to 3rd and 4th choice defenders, perhaps this is the time to strike. Even if it goes against Moyes typical grain.
Liverpool Defensive Injuries
West Ham appears to be catching Liverpool in a weakened state. What “weakened” for Liverpool means vs WHU remains to be seen though. How far do key injuries level the playing field for the Irons?
All world defender Virgil Van Dijk is out after suffering a knee injury off of a questionable tackle at the hands of Everton keeper Jordan Pickford last month. Now Fabinho who was pressed into centre back duty to cover for Van Dijk is now out after being injured in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League match. The extent of his injury is not known, but he is certainly out vs the Hammers.
That leaves Joe Gomez as the only senior centre back ready to play for the Reds. Manager Jurgen Klopp has to decide who to pair with Gomez. Joel Matip also has a muscle injury and has had injury problems during his time at Liverpool.
That could leave youngsters Sep Van Den Berg or Rhys Williams set to get into the starting XI. Both are highly regarded prospects but inexperienced. One thing West Ham has been able to do during this current run of form is score goals.
West Ham’s Current Form to Continue
West Ham have been in great form since David Moyes switched to the 3-4-3 / 5-4-1 formation. It has gotten his best players on the pitch and into roles that seem to better suit the side. And you can’t argue with the results. The Irons have a +4 GD so far and have scored 12 goals in the first 6 matches of the campaign.
Liverpool is on a different level. They have the most formidable front line in English football and can score goals at will. But much like with Manchester City last week, the Hammers on paper appear to be catching them at as good a time as any. Liverpool are beat up and short-handed defensively and this will be their fourth match in 10 days.
Since WHU completed the double over Liverpool in 15-16, they have lost 8 straight against them. Add to that the fact that Liverpool has built a fortress at Anfield—unbeaten at home in their last 62 matches!
But the current run of form is an interesting thing. Betters say bet for a streak to continue, not end. West Ham are unbeaten in their last four league matches. This game represents the last of a run of 7 fixtures against five sides from the top 6 last season + Everton, the current table leaders.
Many pundits thought West Ham would be lucky to come out of this stretch with a single point, maybe two, and here they are now with 8 in the bag. This will be the most interesting match up to vs Liverpool in awhile.