West Ham vs Liverpool: Match Preview | Predicted XI’s
West Ham travels to Anfield to take on the Champions of England, Liverpool, on Saturday. The match will end what has been a difficult run of fixtures.
In recent weeks, West Ham have played top eight sides in Wolves, Leicester City, Tottenham and Manchester City. The club have managed to come through that run of games unbeaten, earning comprehensive victories over Wolves and Leicester.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have been having a weird season. The Champions sit second in the Premier League table but have not been playing to their full capabilities. A 7-2 loss against Aston Villa is the most notable game of their campaign so far.
TEAM NEWS
David Moyes only really has one worry over in his squad, and this is the man inform Michail Antonio. The 30-year-old striker has been a revelation since Moyes switched him to the striker role. But after scoring an overhead kick against Manchester City, he was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury.
Should Antonio be injured, it would be a big loss to the Hammers. The converted forward has become the main man at the club and forced Sebastien Haller to the bench. But if Antonio misses the game against the Reds, Haller could be in line for a start.
Haller is not a similar player to Antonio, and the Frenchman’s inclusion could cause a change in the system. Said Benrahma could also come in to accommodate Haller and would likely replace Pablo Fornals. Moyes, however, is still being conscious with the Algerian and might save home for easier matches.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are in the middle of an injury crisis. Though Thiago could return for the Reds, Jurgen Klopp will be without three of his four choices for centre-back. Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho are all likely to miss the match against the Hammers.
The best news for the Reds manager is the return of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Adrian had been deputising in his place but lacked the same quality as the first choice.
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PREDICTED LINE-UPS
West Ham United Formation – 5-2-3
Fabianski, Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Rice (C), Soucek, Bowen, Fornals & Haller.
Liverpool Formation – 4-3-3
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Henderson, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Thiago, Mane, Salah & Firmino.
MATCH PREDICTION
It is always hard to predict a positive result for the Hammers against Liverpool, especially at Anfield. This might be one of the best times to play against the Reds because of their injury problems.
If West Ham runs in behind the defence and play-long balls over the top of the Liverpool defence then they could have a field day in front of goal, as Villa did. But the key for the Hammers will be keeping Liverpool out, something that has proven difficult in recent years. But if the defenders perform as they did against City then there could be something in the match for West Ham.
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