West Ham, fifth, hosted fourth-placed Liverpool at London Stadium on Sunday afternoon in an attractive Premier League clash.
David Moyes’ Hammers enter the game after an impressive 3-2 away win at Crystal Palace, and seek their seventh straight win in all competitions for the third time in their history.
But they face a Liverpool side who appeared to be back at a place close to their best as they beat the winners 3-1 at Tottenham on Thursday night. It was the Reds’ first league win in six attempts and a performance full of swagger and confidence.
Here is 90 minsgame preview.
When is the kick-off? Sunday January 31
What time is the kick-off? 4.30 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? London stadium
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
Arbitrator? Jon Moss (VAR? Craig Pawson)
JLingz is a hammer? #WelcomeJesse pic.twitter.com/NXEk9xirbz
– West Ham United (@WestHam) January 29, 2021
It was announced on Friday evening that Jesse Lingard had completed his loan transfer to West Ham from Manchester United.
However, Hammers fans will have to wait to see their new man in action as he was not signed until the 12:00 p.m. registration deadline, which means he is not eligible to play on the weekend. . Therefore, Said Benrahma, whose deal with London Stadium has been made permanent to pave the way for Lingard’s loan signing, will likely retain his starting spot.
Apart from Lingard, David Moyes will have to do without Arthur Masuaku, injured knee. In his absence, the Scotsman would have to stick with a fullback four that has worked so well in recent weeks.
Liverpool continued to be without Diogo Jota and Naby Keita, while Joel Matip joined fellow center-backs Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk on the sidelines.
Fabinho is also unavailable for the Reds, which means Jurgen Klopp will likely field Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams in a makeshift partnership with Jordan Henderson.
Western ham (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, soucek; Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Antonio
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Henderson, Robertson; Jones, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
West Ham
Crystal Palace 2-3 West Ham – premier league (01/26)
West Ham 4-0 Doncaster – FA Cup (01/23)
West Ham 2-1 West Brom – premier league (01/19)
West Ham 1-0 Burnley – premier league (01/16)
Stockport 0-1 West Ham – FA Cup (01/11)
Liverpool
Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool – premier league (01/28)
Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool – FA Cup (01/24)
Liverpool 0-1 Burnley – premier league (01/21)
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United – premier league (01/17)
Aston Villa 1-4 Liverpool – FA Cup (08/01)
This game is difficult to follow, even though they finished 60 points apart during the 2019/20 season.
The hosts are in the shape of a life and look confident in all facets of the game. The Hammers are huge threats in the air, thanks in large part to Tomas Soucek, but also have the pace and the willingness to run behind a makeshift defense from Michail Antonio.
Liverpool’s confidence had been low, but midweek victory over Jose Mourinho’s Spurs will have boosted morale. Their famous third forward looked dangerous again, while Trent Alexander-Arnold put a man of the match, seemingly putting his previous poor form aside.
Ultimately, their goals should be on both sides – and the loot could be shared in an entertaining end-to-end showdown.
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Liverpool