West Ham vs Liverpool – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our midweek Premier League predictions, we take a look at West Ham’s home match against Liverpool. Liverpool average exactly 1 point per away game, whereas West Ham average 1.375 at home. Competitive? Read on with our West Ham vs Liverpool prediction.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

West Ham:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Scamacca

Liverpool:

Might Not Play: Konate

Will Not Play: Ramsay, Bajcetic, Keita, Firmino

West Ham vs Liverpool Lineups (Predicted)

West Ham (4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3): Fabianski; Cresswell, Aguerd, Zouma, Coufal; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen; Antonio

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Nunez, Gakpo, Salah

West Ham vs Liverpool Analysis

West Ham Must Try To Be Compact And Deny Liverpool Space

West Ham have only averaged 42 per cent possession this season, as opposed to 60 per cent for Liverpool. Therefore, we would expect West Ham to play a more conservative game in this match, sitting in a lower block, keeping the midfield and defence compact, pressing when they can and looking to hit Liverpool on counters.

The four defenders must try their best to prevent gaps from appearing where Liverpool could play their way through in attacking areas. Cresswell and Coufal (if they start) must stay as tight as possible with Aguerd and Zouma. Liverpool have many threats out wide, and the full-backs must beware of these dangers and keep them from getting into the box. Hence, West Ham’s full-backs and wingers will likely be pinned back for spells of the game. Liverpool indeed have a poor away record this season, but they still tend to dominate the ball and maintain possession. Hence, West Ham will be looking to break at pace.

West Ham On The Counter

When West Ham can implement said breaks, the full-backs must try to get forward on these occasions to supplement the attack (the full-backs will obviously be important in this game). In attacking areas, Benrahma, Fornals, Lanzini, Bowen and Paqueta all possess trickery and dribbling ability – they can use these gifts to try to take on the Liverpool defenders or play cute little passes through link-up or inside to Antonio. The front players must try to create something and make things happen through shots on goal.

Also important are Rice and Soucek in midfield. These two tend to give West Ham the platform to attack, especially Rice. The young Englishman must pass the ball well and look to drive on his forays forward and link up with the forward players. His influence in midfield could be significant. As always, David Moyes’s side are also dangerous from set pieces. Liverpool must be on guard and concentrate on West Ham’s corner and free-kick routines.

Liverpool In The First Two Thirds Of The Field

As stated, Jurgen Klopp’s men maintain possession well this season (though more at Anfield) and will likely take the game to West Ham. Liverpool are still fighting for a European place and will be determined to win this. Their ability to play out from the back through that triangle of Alisson, Konate (if fit) and Van Dijk is always a weapon, as is the driving forward and athleticism of the full-backs Robertson and Alexander-Arnold. We expect Liverpool to weave pretty patterns in the first two thirds, attempting to progress the ball into midfield and get Thiago on the ball.

Thiago’s ability to make the play in midfield could be crucial. With Fabinho screening the defence and Henderson getting through much work thanks to his industry, Thiago will have the opportunity to find the front players with cute little incisive and cutting forward balls. Also crucial in this respect is the progressive passing of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson – not only are they great at driving forward, but their link-up with the advanced wide players such as Salah, Nunez and Jota is excellent, as is their crossing.

Liverpool in Advanced Positions

Thus, Thiago and the full-backs will be weapons when advancing. However, the front three should cause the most damage. Liverpool have five players they can call on in forward areas, with Firmino likely out (Salah, Nunez, Gakpo, Diaz and Jota). We predict the first three to start. Salah’s trickery, dribbling and ability to come inside and shoot are always weapons for Liverpool, and he has a brilliant scoring record. Cresswell knows he is in for a challenging game on that side.

Nunez’s ability to run up and down the line and make chances for himself is a bonus. However, his finishing has been erratic this season. He could explode soon if he becomes more clinical in front of goal. Gakpo is an intelligent player with great link-up and quality finishing – he and Nunez will likely interchange when they can. Indeed, these two and Salah are the key to scoring goals, in both building play and on transitions. Elliott is a possible introduction from the bench, as are the tireless Jota and the tricky, dribbling Diaz.

Our Prediction

This game is a tricky one to call. First, Liverpool seem to have found some form in recent weeks, but their season has been erratic, and we have already seen false dawns. West Ham’s home record has been good, with their only defeat in the last nine at the London Stadium being Newcastle’s 5-1 hammering of the home side. However, we know that Liverpool can destroy any team on any given day. Their games are so difficult to predict away from home because of their form and the fact that you never know which Liverpool will turn up. West Ham, alternatively, can play with more freedom now that they have established a bit of a buffer in the table.

Hence, a draw seems sensible, with West Ham doing well in recent weeks, especially at home. In all competitions, Liverpool have won six of their previous seven games against West Ham. They also won the reverse fixture at Anfield and have scored at least twice in five of their last six away matches against West Ham. However, we feel West Ham are in good form and feeling confident. They are solid at home and Liverpool are poor away.

If Liverpool turn up, they could easily win, but Liverpool rarely hit their ceiling on their travels. The result at Leeds was something of an anomaly for this season. Hence, we predict a high-scoring stalemate.

West Ham 2-2 Liverpool

West Ham vs Liverpool Betting Tip – Over 2.5 Goals Odds: