Liverpool v West Ham – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Liverpool host West Ham at Anfield Both sides played in the Europa League on Thursday and will have some fatigue with the quick turnaround time. The Reds have 13 points from five league fixtures so far whilst West Ham have three wins in five in the Premier League as both sides have started well.

Liverpool Form

Jurgen Klopp’s side have 13 points from their five league matches so far. They drew 1-1 at Chelsea on the opening day and have won every match since. They came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at home with an impressive 3.08 xG produced. It was followed by another comeback victory, going to Newcastle and winning 2-1 despite playing with ten men for over 60 minutes.

Their last home match brought a dominant 3-0 win over Aston Villa with 64% possession. They put up 2.47 xG in a complete performance. They were thoroughly outplayed in the first half at Wolves last weekend and trailed 1-0 at the break. The second half saw a fine turnaround as they scored three goals from 1.92 xG and won 3-1 at Molineux. On Thursday, they rested seven players in a 3-1 win in Austria vs. LASK in the Europa League.

Liverpool Team News

The Reds have Virgil Van Dijk back from suspension. Ibrahima Konate is also fit again and the duo will solidify Liverpool’s back four. Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss out with a hamstring injury so Joe Gomez will deputise at right back.

Thiago Alcantara is still absent but Ryan Gravenberch is an option to start in midfield after his £34m move from Bayern Munich. Alexis Mac Allister will come back into the XI. In attack, Darwin Nunez has done enough to earn a start as the number nine with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah completing the front three.

Liverpool Motivation

Liverpool will go all out to win this match. They will attack and look to outscore their opponents with clean sheets not being the main priority this season.

A draw feels like a defeat. If trailing, Klopp will throw on extra forwards and withdraw midfielders. They’ve come back from behind in three of their four league wins already.

West Ham Form

The Hammers have made a strong start to the new season despite the negativity after Declan Rice’s sale. They drew 1-1 at Bournemouth to start the season before a fine 3-1 home win over Chelsea with ten men. A superb counter-attacking performance saw them go to Brighton at win 3-1 with just 22% ball possession. They put up 3.23 xG as they created some big chances.

A 2-1 win at Luton followed in a business-like display. Their last league match saw them take a lead at home to Man City. However, they were thoroughly dominated throughout that match and eventually lost 3-1. Their opponents had 29 shots and 3.63 xG with eight ‘big chances’. On Thursday, they won 3-1 at home vs. TSC Backa Topola in the Europa League.

West Ham Team News

David Moyes made nine changes in midweek and currently has a strong squad with no injuries to deal with. Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse were the only first XI players to start on Thursday. Most of the other nine players will return to the XI for this match.

The selection decisions are over whether to use Paqueta centrally or to play him wider with Tomas Soucek anchoring midfield. Should Moyes for the former option, it would open a spot for either Said Benrahma or Mohammed Kudus to play down the left wing in a more attacking setup.

West Ham Motivation

Moyes’ strategy will be clear from his starting XI. If he selects three genuine attackers, then he is going for the win at Anfield and seeing it as a free hit.

More likely is that West Ham will cede possession and sit back, looking for fast counters. A draw would be seen as a great result.

Key Stats

Liverpool are 16 EPL matches unbeaten (11 wins, 5 draws)

Liverpool’s last 44 home EPL matches have seen just 1 loss

Liverpool have won 6 of their last 7 home PL matches (1 draw)

West Ham are unbeaten in 3 away EPL matches (DWW)

West Ham have seen Both Teams Score in their last 4 away league matches

West Ham have lost their last 6 league matches at Anfield

Verdict

The Reds are playing some good attacking football this season. They will hope to be a bit more solid at the back with Van Dijk and Konate fit. Both sides should still score but Liverpool may have too much firepower for West Ham.