WEST HAM UNITED VS LIVERPOOL: PREVIEW

Liverpool travel to the London Stadium tomorrow night (18:45 GMT kickoff) to take on a rejuvenated West Ham side. The Reds are coming off the back of a nervy 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest as they cling on to their faint top four hopes. Here’s the match preview.

Jürgen Klopp’s men made it back to back wins on Saturday when they got over the line against a plucky Forest outfit. The Reds once again lined up with Trent in a double pivot alongside Fabinho in midfield, with the Scouser tasked with dropping into the right back position when the side lost possession.

A cagey first half saw Jota and Van Dijk both miss good opportunities to break the deadlock, with the Forest rearguard holding firm till the break. The second half produced five goals as Jota profited off two set pieces to hit the back of the net and continue his resurgence after a tough time with injury.

The visitors hit back each time, with Niakhate’s long throws (an unwelcome throwback to Rory Delap) causing Liverpool all sorts of problems. Forest went close to equalising for a third time after Salah had also benefited from a set piece to score what proved to be the winner.

The nature of the performance, especially defensively, is a cause for concern going forward. West Ham are a very physical side themselves, with their prowess at attacking set pieces a real weapon. They netted twice from set pieces in their 4-0 win at Bournemouth this past Sunday.

The Hammers also netted twice from corners on Liverpool’s last visit to the London Stadium, running out 3-2 winners in an entertaining game. David Moyes’ outfit have found form in recent weeks. The Hammers have eased relegation fears to move into 13th place, six points clear of the drop.

They have only tasted one defeat in their last ten games across all competitions (a heavy home defeat to Newcastle). In their last home league game, they fought back from two goals down to hold table topping Arsenal to a draw that dented the Gunners’ title hopes.

They then sealed back to back European semi final berths by thrashing Belgian side Gent 4-1, booking a date with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League. Their performance at Bournemouth on Sunday was arguably their most impressive of the campaign, recording their biggest away victory of the season.

It should be a good game under the lights tomorrow, despite both sides underperforming this campaign. They’ve found a semblance of form in recent weeks and should both be full of confidence. Set pieces could prove key once again, with the two teams adept at attacking dead ball situations.

In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Darwin Nunez nodded home the only goal of the game from a fantastic Tsimikas cross. It was a tightly contested affair, with the Hammers missing a penalty and going close to equalising late on when Soucek’s close range effort was blocked on the line by Milner.

It promises to be a similarly tough encounter this time round. Jürgen Klopp has overseen eight trips to West Ham in all competitions since taking charge of the Reds, with the Hammers winning three times and the Reds coming out on top on four occasions.

Liverpool have only registered three successive league wins in the Premier League once this season. That goes to underline how consistently inconsistent the Reds have been all campaign. They go in search of a third consecutive victory tomorrow night, one which will see them leapfrog Spurs in the league table.

Team News

Roberto Firmino remains out injured with a muscle injury. Ibrahima Konaté is struggling with a knock as well but is expected to be passed fit in time for this clash. Naby Keita took part in partial training today but isn’t yet available. Calvin Ramsay (knee) and Stefan Bajcetic (groin) remain out injured.

For West Ham, big money summer signing Gianluca Scamacca is the only absentee, with the striker absent with a season ending knee injury.