Liverpool vs. West Ham United preview
“The best news was it was over, and I thought we cannot play worse.” These were the words that Jurgen Klopp said after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The German was specifically referring to the first-half performance of his team. One of the reasons attributed to it was that several players had just returned from the international break.
This is why Klopp rested the majority of his squad for the Europa League clash against LASK. The Reds won the game 3-1, meaning their top players will be much fresher when they host West Ham United in the Premier League.
Both teams have started the season strongly, cementing their place in the top half of the table. Liverpool suffered blow after blow in the transfer market as they failed to sign any of their top targets. Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Jude Bellingham all rejected the club.
However, the team has altered its tactics to become better. On top of that, the deadline day signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich has also bolstered the midfield and his performance against LASK showed how high of a ceiling he has.
Meanwhile, their two other additions to Liverpool’s midfield, in the form of MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai, have greatly improved the team. This, coupled with the rise of Curtis Jones, Harvey Ellio, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak, and Jarell Quansah, have given Liverpool much-needed quality squad depth.
On the other hand, David Moyes has made West Ham United a team that no one wants to face. The Hammers’ playbook is simple: give the opposition all the time on the ball and use pacey counterattacks to catch the rivals off guard. And this strategy has worked to perfection. In fact, their only loss in the league has come against defending champions Manchester City.
In their wins over Chelsea and Brighton, West Ham have proved that the opposition will have to be at their best for 90 minutes to take any points. However, in Liverpool, their famed defence will face an attack that is almost on par with Manchester City.
Liverpool vs. West Ham United lineups
Liverpool lineup
Gravenberch hobbled off the pitch in the game against LASK. However, Klopp said he was suffering from cramps, alleviating serious injury concerns. Apart from that, Trent Alexander Arnold and Thiago Alcantara will also miss the clash, given their injuries.
Despite this, Klopp has a host of options to choose from. The manager also made a host of changes for the Europa League clash, meaning there could be seven to eight changes in the squad for the Premier League clash.
Liverpool predicted lineup: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez; Jones, MacAllister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Nunez, Salah
West Ham United lineup
Like Liverpool, West Ham United also started their Europa League campaign in style, beating Backa Topola 3-1, and made nine changes to the team that lost to Manchester City.
Areola will be back for the games against Liverpool behind a back four of Emerson, Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, and Vladimír Coufal. Ward Prowse, who played as a central midfielder against Backa Topola, will move forward in his favoured advanced position, with Jared Bowen and Pacqueta partnering him and Michail Antonio playing as the sole striker.
West Ham United predicted lineup; Areola; Emerson, Aguerd, Zouma, Coufal; Soucek, Alvarez; Pacqueta, James Ward Prowse, Bowen; Antonio
Liverpool vs West Ham United predictions
West Ham United have already proved that they have the capability of taking a big team down. Meanwhile, Liverpool have also shown that they can win under any circumstances (their win against Newcastle being the best of the lot).
Both teams also have settled squads, a clear tactical system backed by a manager with a solid vision. West Ham lost when they faced Manchester CIty’s ruthless attack, and Liverpool also possess the same threat level. This, combined with the crowd support at Anfield, will ensure Liverpool take all three points home.
FootTheBall predicts a 3-1 win for Liverpool.