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West Ham vs Liverpool – Team News, Manager’s Quotes & Stats

By Alex Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their side's first goal whilst under pressure from Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their side's first goal whilst under pressure from Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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West Ham welcome title chasing Liverpool to the London Stadium this weekend in what is set to be a fantastic game at the top of the Premier League table.

The Hammers have been in fine form recently and are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions including a win over Liverpool’s title rivals, Manchester City on penalties.

It will be a big challenge for David Moyes’ side to continue this great run though as The Reds have been unbelievable this season and are yet to lose a league match. Mohamed Salah is on fire with 10 goals in 10 Premier League matches and it will be a tough task for the West Ham defence to keep the most in-form player in the world quiet.

West Ham face Liverpool on Sunday 7th November at 16:30 with just two points separating the teams in the league table.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool battles for possession with Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on October 31, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool battles for possession with Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on October 31, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

TEAM NEWS 

West Ham have few injury concerns to deal with. Nikola Vlasic and Andriy Yarmolenko both missed out on the trip to Genk on Thursday with minor injuries and it is unsure whether either will recover in time for this match. The likes of Ben Johnson and Jarrod Bowen are set to return to the starting line-up following rests in the Europa League. Said Benrahma, who got both goals in midweek, is set to start. We predict the same starting XI as in the 1-4 win over Aston Villa last weekend.

Liverpool will be without centre-forward Roberto Firmino after he picked up a hamstring injury in the Champions League tie versus Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Midfield duo, James Milner and Naby Keita are also out with hamstring troubles. The match will also come to soon for Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez. However, Klopp is hopeful that Thiago could make his first Premier League appearance in seven weeks, returning from an injury.

From the Managers

David Moyes said, “We will try and give them a difficult game. We need them to have an off day but we need to be fully on our game. We go into the game believing in how we’re playing. We want to give them a better game than last year and show them we’ve progressed.”

Regarding the anti-Semitic songs chanted by a few West ham fans in Belgium earlier this week, he said, “We are a diverse football club. There’s no room for discrimination. We don’t want to be associated with supporters like this.”

Jurgen Klopp praised Moyes in his press conference, “He gets better and better and better, that’s how I say it! I don’t know if he reinvented himself, but it’s absolutely incredible. Everybody who watches West Ham knows it’s now a full package, high in the table.”

Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates with David Moyes. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates with David Moyes. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Stat Attack

  • Liverpool are unbeaten in 10 league games against West Ham since losing 2-0 at Upton Park in January 2016 (W8, D2).
  • The Reds have won 31 Premier League matches versus the Hammers, more than against any other side.
  • West Ham’s tally of 62 points in 2021 is bettered only by Manchester City and Chelsea prior to the latest round of fixtures, while it is already the Hammers’ highest Premier League total in a calendar year.
  • The Londoners have made four changes to their starting line-up in Premier League games this season, fewer than any other side, and have used a joint-low 18 players in total.
  • David Moyes is winless in seven league matches as a manager against Jurgen Klopp, losing six.
  • Liverpool are unbeaten in 25 matches in all competitions (W18, D7), equalling a club record set under Bob Paisley from March to September 1982.
  • Mohamed Salah has scored nine goals in eight Premier League matches versus West Ham, his joint-highest total against one club.