With Manchester City, already above them in the league table, Liverpool are closer than ever in missing out on the top four spot. The Reds might need two wins on the trot to secure qualification, and West Ham remain their biggest stumbling block.
Team News
West Ham United- After the brilliant display against Tottenham Hotspur, Slaven Bilic will need to reshuffle his squad in some significant positions for the Liverpool game. The Croat manager is set to miss out on some crucial players.
Andy Carroll will continue to be a big miss as he failed to recover from a groin injury. His presence against his former club could have been quite effective for the Hammers but the manager has announced his absence from the fixture. With hardly any effective option in that role, West Ham will already be at a disadvantage.
Another important loss will be of midfielder Mark Noble. Noble has undergone an abdominal surgery, which has been a concern for some weeks now. We expect Norwegian international Havard Nordtveit to replace him in the middle of the park. Noble’s midfield partner Cheikhou Kouyate will also miss the game with a wrist surgery. Apart from them, long-term absences feature Arthur Masuaku, Pedro Obiang, Michail Antonio, Diafra Sakho, Angelo Ogbonna.
Liverpool- Liverpool will have few fresh injury concerns as striker Roberto Firmino and midfielder Lucas Leiva are scheduled for late fitness tests, owing to their muscle problems. Huge injury boost would be Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge, who are likely to start this time.
Predicted Line-ups
West Ham United- Adrian; Cresswell, Reid, Fonte, Collins, Byram; Ayew, Nordtveit, Fernandez, Lanzini, Calleri
Liverpool- Mignolet; Milner, Lovren, Matip, Clyne; Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Coutinho, Origi, Sturridge
Key Players
West Ham United- With hardly any striker to get West Ham ahead, winger Manuel Lanzini remains the only slim hope for the Hammers. The Argentine has scored eight times this season and against Liverpool’s shaky defence, stands a realistic chance. Ayew hasn’t been playing for long but his pace and vibrancy could come in handy.
Liverpool- Divock Origi will have a tough task at hand against West Ham’s compact defending. The five-man defence successfully stopped Tottenham last week and Liverpool’s attack hasn’t been that organised. Set-pieces will be crucial openings for the Reds. Coutinho, apart from him, could be a threat and Sam Byram will have to be careful in not allowing him any shot from outside the box.
Odds
West Ham United @ 5.50
Draw @ 4.10
Liverpool @ 1.66
