Liverpool FC v West Ham Utd – Prematch Opinion

Liverpool will be looking to continue their good start the season this afternoon when they welcome West Ham to Anfield for this afternoon’s Barclays Premiership match. In a game many would expect the hosts to sail through. Beware.

Andy Grove, the Hungarian American Scientist said: “Success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.” Wise words Liverpool should well heed this afternoon. Following a run of three games without either defeat or conceding a goal, confidence is high amongst the squad. Confidence is a good thing but it needs to be built on. Her cousin complacency can easily turn up and spoil the party. 

I’m sure Brendan Rodgers will be reminding his team of this come the build up today. Should my impression hold true, this should be reflected in his team selection – which could remain largely unchanged. The only potential I see for something different would be the return of Jordan Ibe in attack in exchange for the defensive minded Lucas Leiva. Rodgers has expressed his desire for Anfield to become a fortress, but I do hope this doesn’t come at the cost of quality football. Yes the team is more solid and yes, the result comes first but with players like Roberto Firmino, Christian Benteke and Philippe Coutinho at your disposal, some attacking flair is almost obligatory. 

Thus in terms of line up, I see the back four remaining which means no place for Mamadou Sakho or Alberto Moreno who will both no doubt have to wait for Europa League and domestic cup action to get the nod. Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez will be either side of Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren. The latter of whom was talked up by Rodgers in his pre-match conference yesterday. Claiming the Croatian international is playing in a more “relaxed” way without pressure. Let’s hope he’s right. I still remain unconvinced but I’m always happy to see a Liverpool player succeed. In midfield against Arsenal, the side was functional and organised. 

I’d like to see a bolder midfield. With all due respect to West Ham, they don’t have the threat of Arsenal, despite the Gunners losing to them in the opening game of the season. Since then today’s visitors have lost twice on the bounce to Leicester and Bournemouth. That said, both losses were by a single goal but I think the home defence should see them off back to east London empty handed. So, a midfield of Emre Can and James Milner behind three attacking midfielders of Coutinho, Firmino and Ibe supporting Benteke. This should give the team a good weighty attack whilst Can and Milner will provide some protection for the defence and press high up. 

One thing that does concern me is the West Ham manager Slaven Bilic. He’s a wily old so and so and I’m sure he’d have identified some weaknesses in the side to exploit. That said, other than Lovren of frail confidence I don’t see many so I expect the Croatian to single out his compatriot for a tough test with a direct approach. That apart, the omens do not look good for Bilic. Liverpool’s record against the Hammers over the last six games read some: P:6 W:4 D:1 L:1. So an impressive record. 

All things being as they should, one would expect Liverpool to come away with a comfortable win today. A winning mentality is required. A paranoia against defeat must set in and overall develop an immunity to that great sickness, complacency. 

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