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West Ham host league leaders Liverpool at the London Stadium on Monday and the home side will be hoping to bounce back from an apathetic 3-0 loss to Wolves last time out, while the visitors will be chomping at the bit to extend their lead on champions Manchester City.
This week’s expert fans, Vital Football editor and Hammers fan James Jones and Reds obsessed Football League World assistant editor George Dagless, discuss the big talking points ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Since running out 1-0 winners in their clash with Arsenal in mid-January, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have spectacularly fallen off as they suffered defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Wolves either side of a shock loss to Wimbledon in the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s men couldn’t capitalise on title rivals City’s loss to Newcastle in the way they would have hoped as they took a point from their tie with Leicester, but will look to get back on track on Monday.
The last two meetings have seen Liverpool win comfortably – 4-1 and 4-0. But have West Ham improved since that opening weekend drubbing?
James: “We’ve improved a lot since that 4-0 opening day defeat but there’s still so much to be done under Pellegrini. The players have mostly got to grips with the way Pellegrini wants them to play and we’ve seen that vision come to fruition several times already this season. Defensively we’re still pretty suspect but we have been ruthless going forward at times. It’s beginning to click but now we need to we’re more consistent.”
George: “I look at them and, to be honest, they clearly just needed time. The opening day saw them get a bit of a pasting but, actually, in flashes they looked decent – I particularly liked Felipe Anderson. They made a lot of new signings in the summer and some have worked and some haven’t, but Pellegrini looks surer of his best team now – and as a team they look to have a better understanding of one another. I expect a closer game and a much more cohesive Hammers side.”
Having spent just shy of £100m in the summer and made some marquee signings, including Lazio’s Anderson, big things were expected of Pellegrini as he took the helm, but it was a baptism of fire for the Chilean as Liverpool humbled the Hammers at Anfield on the opening day.
Since, though, the former City boss’ ideas seem to have gotten across and they are playing some nice football. Injuries haven’t been kind to the Irons, though – their lengthy wounded list has reached double figures at times. Maybe once they are back to full capacity they will be able to show their full potential.
Liverpool had a quiet January transfer window. Are there any areas you feel needed reinforcement ahead of Monday night’s game and then the rest of the season?
George: “Right-back obviously is a glaring issue right now. I don’t get Nathaniel Clyne’s exit – especially without a recall option. Alexander-Arnold will be back soon and Gomez can fill in when fit – but both are injured and Gomez is a centre-half, so why not have two genuine right-back options? Other than that, I don’t think Klopp really needed to add – the squad looks settled and he seems happy with what he has. I’d have liked a player that can break lines and drive at defences from midfield but that’s just me. I can see why, with Naby Keita – who has it in him – and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming back, Klopp kept his powder dry.”
James: “Liverpool have no problems going forward, we all know that, but their real weakness lies in defence. Klopp still needs to focus a lot of his attention in the transfer windows on tightening his back line up and this is where West Ham should be looking to take advantage on Monday.”
Klopp addressed the lack of a top-quality goalkeeper in the summer with the acquisition of Alisson from Roma and that has made a huge difference – one can’t help but feel that their ill-fated Champions League final may have gone a little differently had the Brazilian been between the sticks instead of Loris Karius – but the defence still remains an issue.
The arrival of Virgil van Dijk has plugged some gaps – indeed, the Merseyside outfit have conceded the fewest goals in the league this season (14) – but the big Dutchman is in desperate need of a regular partner at centre-back. Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Fabinho and Dejan Lovren have all partnered the former Southampton man at the heart of the back four this season.
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Likewise, Clyne’s departure to Bournemouth has left Klopp short of options at right-back – this may prove to be key against West Ham.
Felipe Anderson is West Ham’s biggest attacking threat – who should start at right-back for Liverpool if they want to stop him?
George: “James Milner. I thought Jordan Henderson did admirably against Leicester and Fabinho can actually play there but I’d put Milner in there and just get him to put the shackles on Anderson. I think the West Ham man is a top player and definitely a big threat so I see Milner getting the nod over anyone else. He’s got the engine to get forward too, and hopefully Anderson won’t feel that inclined to track back with him.”
James: “Milner would probably be Klopp’s best bet as he has the experience to deal with some of Felipe Anderson’s talent. That said, Fabinho will know all about his countryman’s style and that could work in his favour. In terms of pace, I think Milner would be the better option, while Fabinho would have the strength to stop Anderson in his tracks.”
Anderson has been electric in claret and blue this season and is making West Ham fans forget all about Dimitri Payet – the 26-year-old has chalked up eight goals and two assists in the league and is striking up a dangerous partnership with Marko Arnautovic.
When allowed to cut in from the left onto his favoured right foot, the winger is a threat and will trouble the ‘keeper nine times out of ten. Whoever Klopp selects at right-back will have a big task on their hands.
First-choice Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined and so industrious utility men Milner and Henderson have both filled in for the youngster in recent weeks. Milner has far more experience playing in the back four than Henderson, but he has struggled against pacey forwards on occasion – the number 7 was sent off against Crystal Palace after receiving a second yellow for a late challenge on Wilfried Zaha.
Are there any areas in the West Ham team in particular which could be exploited by Liverpool?
James: “The defence. West Ham are desperately missing the services of Fabian Balbuena, who had created a brilliant partnership with Issa Diop before his injury. Angelo Ogbonna just doesn’t offer the same level of security, while at left-back Arthur Masuaku is a complete liability. If Masuaku plays then Liverpool with have a lot of fun down the right-hand side.”
George: “For me, West Ham can be got at in central midfield and down the flanks. Liverpool’s strongest attributes lie with their quick progression of the ball through midfield and to the attacking players and I think the mobility and power of our midfield trio could give Mark Noble and Declan Rice – who I think is great by the way – a real problem. Of course, the front three need no introduction and both full-back areas for West Ham, I feel, can be got at.”
A bargain signing from Corinthians, Balbuena has formed a solid partnership with fellow summer arrival Diop and the Paraguayan’s absence through injury has been noticeable in recent weeks.
Ogbonna has deputised for ‘The General’ and been found out on a number of occasions – the Italian’s uncertainty in and out of possession makes the left side of the Irons’ defence considerably weaker, particularly with Masuaku holding down the flank.
The Congolese is a threat when allowed to get forward but his tendency to forego the simple things in favour of an elaborate piece of skill could cost his side against Liverpool, who press in numbers and break quickly.
Finally, what are your score predictions?
James: “Despite West Ham’s improvement since these two sides last met on the opening day of the season, they’ve been poor in recent weeks and have lost their last three games in all competitions, However, they have been a lot better on home soil this season, and some confidence at home could be exactly what they need. The Hammers have already beaten Arsenal and Man United at home this term and they have what it takes to cause an upset here as well. I’m going for a 1-1 draw.”
George: “I think it’ll be close but West Ham have been on a poor run in the last couple of games – 2-0 Liverpool.”