Top of the league. Top goalscorer in the league. Top assister in the league. Most goals scored in the league and currently on an eight game winning streak. Ladies and Gentlemen – It’s Liverpool FC.
The ‘all of the above’ side will travel down to Upton Park on Sunday full of confidence and expecting the victory after the season they have had. It will be up to Sam Allardyce to catch out Brendan Rodgers with his tactical nous. It was done away at Stamford Bridge earlier this season when West Ham shut up shop early and managed a 0-0 against Jose Mourinho’s men. However, there was one thing that Chelsea didn’t have, that Liverpool do – the two top scorers in the division. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge or “SAS” have notched up 29 and 20 Premier League goals respectively, this season. Meaning those two alone have scored 13 more goals this season than the entirety of West Ham. To feed their top men, Liverpool have the likes of Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and Philipe Coutinho.
Undoubtably a tough game for West Ham. Thanks to our recent form this game is now under little importance for West Ham in terms of league stability. How will West Ham react to safety? Will it free them up and allow them to play without the pressure that Liverpool will be feeling, or will Liverpool thrive under the pressure and West Ham offer little resistance?
Team News
Liverpool have just one absentee in their ranks as Jose Enrique misses out.
West Ham are to be without Joey O’Brien and Marco Borriello through long-term injuries. James Collins didn’t feature on Monday Night Football and George McCartney was pulled off with an injury at half time, both are doubts.
Likely Line-Ups
West Ham
Adrian – Armero Reid Tomkins Demel – Taylor Noble – Diame Nolan Downing – Carroll
Liverpool
Mignolet – Flanagan Skrtel Agger Johnson – Gerrard Coutinho Henderson – Sterling Suarez Sturridge
Pablo Armero is likely to receive his first West Ham start after replacing McCartney on Monday. No change to the Liverpool side that defeated Tottenham 4-0 last Sunday.
Prediction
Neither set of fans will be particularly looking forward to this game for contrasting reasons. Liverpool are getting into a stage of the Premier League which they haven’t experienced for a long-time. As for West Ham, another hammering on national television is a strong possibility.
I fully expect an attack vs defence kind of game, if Liverpool’s ever present class of SAS strike early, then it will most likely be a walk in the part for the league leaders. West Ham may frustrate Liverpool if they do not get the opening goal in the first 45 minutes, the nerves of “throwing away” the Premier League title, may jangle.
I think that is unlikely however, and would be inclined to go with a comfortable continuation for Liverpool.
West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
I think what will help WH is Chelsea and City winning today and putting huge pressure on Liverpool. Away from Anfield Liverpool aren’t the same team and I think this match will be very tight and if WH score first they’ll take points.
Liverpool won’t be able to stop Carroll with their defenders and WH can break up Liverpool’s attacks, so WH have a great chance of winning this match.
Tough match ! since the 2006 final we never quite seem to get the rub of the green against the “Pool” like Shelvey’s deflected winner last year when i thought we were worth at least a point .
But we have to beat them sometime ! why not today ? COYI
What a good game this should be, class players for Liverpool, and West Ham with no relegation worries, and the possibility of an upset ?
Up The Hammers !!!
I really like everyones optomism here. I hope you are right, because I to, have predicted the same scoreline as Toby. I hope, and would be in raptures if our lads get the points, the pressure is really on Liverpool now to win all 6 games, as after City & Chelsea both winning, then it may prove too tall an order for Liverpool & someone will beat them, so it may as well be us, COYI
if u thnk west ham have a chance in this game u must be out of yo mind,this will be walk in the park for us just sit relax and see SAS destroying
Well, what happened liverpool fan? Also, if you were that sure, then why do you prowl around on other clubs websites to post stuff like this this? FEELING A LITTLE INSSECURE WERE YOU? Well after the performance West Ham have just given, you had good reason to be:
I think defeat was a bit harsh on West Ham. Sam could not have asked any from his players, they were magnificent, they took Liverpool to the wire, who were just able to fall over the line against us. Liverpool could not score any goals from open play, where as West Ham did. Liverpool also had to rely on the referee awarding 2 penalties for them. I have no problem with the 1st penalty, but I think the 2nd was a bit harsh, as the referee did appear to rob us of at least 1 point. The match officials gave Andy Carroll little protection, while Liverpool ganged up on him, trying to put a straight jacket on him, but still Andy put a blinder of a header onto the cross bar. If Liverpool do become champions after this, then they should give credit to West Ham, as we absolutely took them to the wire, and almost restricted them to 1 point. Absolutely well played West Ham, you put in a magnificent performance & really made Liverpool have to work really hard for their win, and you kept their score down with them only being able to score on condition of the ref awarding penalties. On that performance West Ham, you will win a lot more points before this season is out. Geez, I’m starting to feel sorry for Arsenal already. SAS destroying us liverpool fan? Huh, my arse! There are too many glory seekers like you, roaming around, who attach themselves to the big clubs, because hey, it’s cool to support a successful team eh? Look I wish Liverpool all the best. In fact I couldn’t think of a team I’d like to win the title more after West Ham, but keep a check on your own ego, as West Ham gave the reds a big scare tonight. A very big scare indeed, as Liverpool could only win their points on condition of the ref awarding them penalties, so I’d keep I bit of humility in my tongue if I were you liverpool fan.