What to Watch For: West Ham United vs Liverpool
By Jeff Catlin
West Ham are off to their best start in a Premier League season ever. Six wins in their last six games have seen the Hammers jump up the table. Now the club are in the dizzying heights of the european places.
A Measuring Stick Match Up
For the first time in a while, maybe five seasons, West Ham United are facing a true measuring stick game.
We will get a very good idea of just how good the Hammer’s form is in this match. Unlike recent matchups vs Manchester City, for example, Liverpool hasn’t just blown West Ham off the pitch. Yes, there all losses. But even when the Irons form wasn’t anywhere what it is now, they gave a good account of themselves.
West Ham has no reason to enter this match in awe of the Reds. Both teams have won 10 matches. The defensive stats are basically the same. Obviously, the goal-scoring threats along Liverpool’s front line are world-class and that’s the difference between the two sides.
But West Ham are in form, and Liverpool has been scuffling most all season. Despite the fact, they won their last match, Liverpool has their own problems to deal with.
West Ham are undefeated through six matches in all competitions to start a calendar year ever, and now face last year’s champions, Liverpool.
Liverpool Injury Problems
Liverpool doesn’t have any of their first four choices at Center Back. Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez remain out with long-term injuries. Now Brazilian Fabinho, who has been an emergency Center Back for Jurgen Klopp has also suffered a knock and did not play in Liverpool’s match vs Spurs on Thursday. Also in that match, Joel Matip was an injury replacement at halftime. His status for Sunday’s match vs WHU is unknown.
Midfielder Naby Keita and Forward Dioga Jota are also out with injuries.
These missing pieces have taken their toll on Klopp’s side. They are winners of just two matches in their last seven in all competitions.
The win vs Spurs was convincing but this is not the Liverpool of last season at the moment.
Will Jesse Lingard be in The Matchday Squad?
David Moyes and the board got the loan of Jesse Lingard from Manchester United over the line. But was it done in time to have Lingard eligible for the matchday squad?
Unfortunately for West Ham the deal was not completed in time and Lingard will have to wait to make his debut. The Englishman will most likely make his first appearances in the matchday squad against Aston Villa.
It would be very out of character for Moyes to change a winning side. Especially a team that so soundly dominated Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Like with Said Benrahma, Lingard will be bedded into the side slowly.
Next. West Ham should be eager to attack a vulnerable Liverpool. dark
Where to Watch
West Ham vs Liverpool TV Coverage UK: Sky Go UK /Now TV USA: Peacock CAN: DAZN
AUS: Optus Sport CHN: QQ Sports Live / PPTV Sports China MEX: Sky HD UAE: BeIn Sports HD1 & HD2