Liverpool v West Ham match preview
A visit from opponents who have lost their last nine visits to Anfield could come at the right time for Liverpool as the runaway Premier League leaders look to improve upon a run of three defeats in four matches.
With the sacking of former manager Julen Lopetegui imminent, West Ham lost 5-0 at home to the Reds on December 29 and are 38 points behind them in the table, although new boss Graham Potter has steered the Hammers 15 points clear of a bottom three who have looked doomed for months.
“I would prefer not to forget what has happened before,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot retorted when he was asked if talisman Mohamed Salah signing a new contract had boosted his squad, pointing out their 11-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal with seven matches remaining.
“Please let our fans and players not forget how fantastically we have done so far. We can look back at eight or nine months of very good football. On average, individual performances and the team have been so good.”
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Potter praised Slot for “making it look easy”. “He’s done a great job,” added the former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager.
“It’s a really tough league and unpredictable, but he’s had a great season, so congratulations to him. They’ve still got work to do, but they’re rightly top of the league.
“We know where we’ve made progress – particularly in defence – but at the same time we need to attack and play better. But that’s where the work is. We need to finish off as strongly as we can.”
West Ham took a second point from their last four matches by drawing 2-2 at home to Bournemouth last Saturday, a day before Liverpool suffered their second league loss of the campaign by the odd goal in five at Fulham.
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Liverpool v West Ham team news
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson is back in contention for Liverpool after missing two games with a head injury he suffered while playing for Brazil last month.
Conor Bradley is available again at right-back, with Slot explaining that it is not the “favourite position” for Curtis Jones, who has been deputising.
Niclas Fullkrug could feature again for West Ham after returning for 36 minutes against Bournemouth and 45 minutes in the preceding defeat to Wolves following a hamstring injury.
“We’re just making sure he’s OK after the weekend,” explained Potter, adding that the Germany international trained on Friday. “Hopefully there’s no reaction and he’ll be in the squad.”
Liverpool v West Ham expected line-ups
Liverpool Starting XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Diaz, Jota
West Ham Starting XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Mavropans, Scarles, Soucek, Alvarez, Paqueta, Fullkrug, Bowen
