A must win game for both sides, defeat will leave either of them in the cold after Saturday’s encounter at Anfield. While Liverpool are in a formidable run coming into this match with just 1 defeat in the last 11 matches heightening their claims, West Ham would be as confident as ever when they will visit Anfield on Saturday.
Having won 3 on a trot in the last fortnight of January, Sam Allardyce would be confident of getting something out from this fixture. Even though, Liverpool have reduced their gap with the Hammers with their hearty performances in the last few weeks, West Ham – with just 2 defeats in last 10 – are refusing to go down without a fight.
Team News
Here are the team news for both of the sides: –
Liverpool
While the Reds have been the receiving end of the injuries for the most part of this season, Saturday’s fixture would hand them a huge boost in the form of Daniel Sturridge who will make his 1st appearance for the Reds since last August.
However, just when the Reds thought the injury cloud emaciating from their heads, an injury to the Frenchman Mamadou Sakho might well free the defensive monsters that looked gone during the Frenchman’s presence in the Liverpool defense.
Looking more on the list of players that are sidelined from this fixture for the Reds, both Jon Flanagan and Brad Jones pops up as the likely candidates to watch this fixture from the stands.
West Ham
Looking at West Ham and even though they have 13 different goal-scorers in their ranks, their striking options are expected to bolster with the return of 6 players to their ranks.
While they have 6 players sidelined before this fixture, the Hammers are expected to get a huge boost as at least 3 from those 6 players are expected to make a return into the starting 11.
From those 3, Alex Song would be a valuable addition to the squad as the former Arsenal player looks set to return. Even though Song played in their win over Bristol City in the FA Cup, West Ham were sweating over his fitness, however, with a timely return, the Cameroon International has been declared fit to play in this fixture.
Stats
• In last 5 fixtures between these sides, West Ham has managed just a single win with 3 wins for Liverpool in the meantime
• Last season when both these sides met at Anfield in the Premier League, a brace from Luis Suarez helped Liverpool to a 4-1 win
• Since the start of 21st century, West Ham has managed just 2 wins from 24 fixtures in all competitions against the Reds
• Both these sides have met 128 times in all competitions before, Liverpool lead the race with 69 wins with 28 victories going towards the way of the Hammers.
• Last win for West Ham at Anfield dates back to 1963 when the Hammers defeated the Reds with a 2-1 final scoreline.
• Since then famous win in 1963 coming into this match, the Hammers have failed to collect all 3 points during a 5 decade long period at Anfield.
Prediction
With the return of Daniel Sturridge to the Liverpool squad, a Liverpool win is on the cards for this fixture.
Liverpool FC Vs West Ham will be played on 16:00 GMT at Anfield on Saturday, January 31 [MatchCentre]
Barclays Premier League: Liverpool FC vs West Ham: Preview, Stats, Team news
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