West Ham United host league leaders Liverpool at the London Stadium in a late Monday night kickoff with a lot at stake for both teams. The Hammers are going through a poor run of form as they have lost their last three games including the humiliation against League One outfit Wimbledon AFC in the FA Cup.
The London based club has had a stop-start season this campaign, and it has felt like they are taking one step forward and two steps back as they have failed to achieve any consistency so far. Liverpool could be in a rampant mood after they were unable to take full points against Leicester City at home and all the West Ham players need to play at full potential to make sure their side takes something away from this game.
Team News
Jack Wilshere, Fabian Balbuena, Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini, Winston Reid and Carlos Sanchez are all long term absentees. Lukasz Fabianski suffered an arm injury, but he could be fit in time for this clash. Marko Arnautovic has also recovered from his foot injury and can feature against the Reds.
West Ham United Predicted Lineup Vs Liverpool
Formation (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Polish custodian Lukasz Fabianski should recover from his arm injury to start in goal for the Hammers. Issa Diop has emerged as a top signing for the Chilean manager, and he is expected to start in a central role in defence. With Balbuena still out, Angelo Ogbonna is likely to partner him in the heart of the defence.
Out wide, Aaron Cresswell is expected to start from the left. Arthur Masuaku started the midweek game against Wolves and he is expected to be on the bench for this tie. Former Argentine international Pablo Zabaleta is expected to start from the right.
Midfield
Declan Rice will have a tough job of keeping the Liverpool attackers at bay. He is likely to play in the deepest role in midfield. Further up front in midfield, Mark Noble is a nailed on starter. However, he will often have to drop deep and cut down the gaps and spaces in midfield. His midfield partner Pedro Obiang is also likely to have a similar role.
Felipe Anderson will play down the left, and a lot will rest on him to provide the Hammers with some attacking intent. Robert Snodgrass is likely to start from the right though Pellegrini can even opt for a more robust option in Michail Antonio.
Attack
Marko Arnautovic has been in the news of late but for the wrong reasons. The striker will have to be at his clinical best if the Hammers want to cause an upset. The Austrian forward is expected to lead the line for his side.
