EPL – Match Preview – Liverpool vs West Ham United

Liverpool will welcome West Ham United to Anfield on Saturday and will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the English Premier League season with another three points.

Brendan Rodgers’ side produced a mixed performance against Arsenal in its 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium, as the Reds dominated the opening half and were only denied by the heroics of Petr Cech. However in the second stanza it was a complete reverse and Simon Mignolet was called into action.

Meanwhile, Slaven Bilic’s team was defeated by AFC Bournemouth in a thrilling 4-3 result at Boleyn Ground. That result marked two straight losses for the Hammers after their impressive opening display away to Arsenal.

Key Battle – Dimitri Payet vs James Milner

The French attacking midfielder has been arguably West Ham’s best, and he will be the one in charge of breaking Liverpool’s unbeaten backline. If one looks at recent form, it seems Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren will have their hands full, as Payet has created a total of seven chances and bagged an assist and goal of his own. He has averaged a pass accuracy of 77% and produced 33 of those passes in the final third as well as 29 crosses.

Payet loves to move around the pitch, much like Philippe Coutinho for the Reds, although, James Milner has outrun his Brazilian counterpart this season and he will have to control the Hammers’ axeman. The former Manchester City utility has instilled some of the leadership and composure that Steven Gerrard took to LA Galaxy. Last weekend, Milner had to deal with similar customers in the form of Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla and, like a dog chasing the mailman, he did it expertly. The 29-year-old squeezed and pressured the duet into a mistake or exerted some physicality and ran them out of space and that is the role he will have to play against Payet.

Team News

Jordan Henderson missed the Arsenal game due to a niggling ankle injury, while Adam Lallana was a late withdrawal with a thigh complaint, but the midfield duo should be available for selection against West Ham. Other than that, Daniel Sturridge is the only player still on the medical table, although he is ahead of schedule and could feature after the upcoming international break. In terms of personnel changes, Jordan Ibe and Roberto Firmino will contest for a positon on the flank and both Emre Can and Lucas could make way for Henderson.

Expected Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Mignolet (GK); Gomez, Skrtel, Lovren, Clyne; Milner, Henderson, Coutinho; Firmino, Lallana, Benteke.

The Hammers’ disciplinary record will cost them again. Carl Jenkinson will be joining Adrian on the sidelines after a blatant red card in the latter stages versus Bournemouth and the West Ham shot-stopper will continue to serve his three-match ban following his sendoff offence against Leicester City. James Tomkins could come in at centre-back over Angelo Ogbonna and Diafra Sakho could be replaced by Modibo Maiga who scored last week. Bilic will also need to make a change in midfield after Kevin Nolan departed the club by mutual consent during the week. Argentinian recruit Manuel Lanzini could be called upon to make a starting debut.

Expected West Ham XI (4-3-3): Randolph (GK); Ogbonna, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Lanzini, Obiang, Payet; Kouyate, Sakho, Maiga.

Head to Head

Liverpool have won 61 times against West Ham United compared to the Hammers’ 24, while they have been locked level on 31 occasions. The previous time these two met saw the Reds record a comfortable 2-0 victory at Anfield; in fact Liverpool are undefeated in their past three home matches against West Ham.

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Prediction

For Liverpool, a win is imperative. It will continue to build confidence amongst the several new players at the club, but more importantly they stay in touch with potential bolters, Manchester City. West Ham, meanwhile, need three points to calms things after back-to-back losses. A third could spell the start of a mini-crisis which could well deepen.

The midfield will be a key battle ground, and it is worth keeping special tabs on Milner’s duel with Payet, so too Coutinho and Noble. It ultimately comes down to goals, however, and Liverpool look the stronger in this department with Benteke leading the line.

Liverpool 1 West Ham United 0

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