West Ham v Liverpool – Match Preview
Liverpool travel to Upton Park today to take on West Ham United in today’s early kick off. The aim will be to build on the form shown over the last two games and finish the festive program with a 100% record.
There aren’t expected to be any changes from the team that defeated Sunderland on Wednesday. The only doubt is Jordan Henderson who could only manage an hour in the last game before succumbing to his troublesome heel injury. Should the 25 year-old not recover in time, then Lucas Leiva will join Emre Can in front of a defence including Nathaniel Clyne, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno.
In attack, I’d imagine that Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana to support Christian Benteke in the hope that the Belgian can continue his current form. Although he has not been in top form, his tally of two goals in the last two games, both decisive strikes is providing a good outlet in the absence of Daniel Sturridge who continues his rehabilitation. I think this would be a good game for Jordan Ibe in the event that Firmino loses out as a result of his patch form. Same could also go for Coutinho who currently seems like the magician who’s left his wand in his other pants.
The home of the Hammers has been a venue of mixed fortunes for Liverpool over recent years. The Reds having won three of the past five meeting between the two in East London and losing the other two. Most notable is that these seem to be relatively high scoring fixtures with the fans being treated to 4.2 goals per game o average during these games. Not sure what the “.2” goal looked like but this is the scientific evaluation!
Jürgen Klopp was keen to stress in his pre-match press conference that his team cannot wait for the “perfect day”. By this he means the team have to adapt to every game in every situation and make the best out of every fixture. Especially against the less “Flair” sides and not just against the Manchester Cities, Southamptons and Chelseas. Wise words indeed. Let’s hope the team takes heed.
Today’s game will be a tough one. West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is someone I have a lot of admiration for and whom I consider to be one of the better managers in the Premier League. His teams dismantling of Liverpool at Anfield in August showed how good a tactician he is. Let’s not forget, the Londoners are a solitary point behind Liverpool with a five goal superior goal difference so a draw would see the teams swap their current positions.
A win would put Liverpool in fifth place should Manchester United lose to Swansea, which is not entirely an unreasonable expectation given their current form. Either way, the results need to keep coming. A new year, but as far as the Premier League is concerned, this is another day at the office.
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