Liverpool vs West Ham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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An improved West Ham side travel to Anfield to take on reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Fubo
Liverpool preview: Late drama
Liverpool left it late against Nottingham Forest last weekend, with Alexis Mac Allister - who had not long earlier had a goal ruled out by VAR - eventually scoring the winner deep into injury-time.
The Reds have won their last three games in all competitions without conceding, and find themselves in sixth place in the Premier League table.
West Ham preview: Steady improvement
In all competitions, West Ham have lost just one of their last eight games, and it's clear that Nuno Espirito Santo has improved their general performance levels.
Still in the bottom three when it comes to the Premier League table though, the Hammers most recently played out a goalless draw with Bournemouth last weekend in a match that saw them register 20 shots on goal.
Liverpool team news: Mixed news
Despite pulling up in the warm-up of last week's win at the City Ground, there were hopes that Florian Wirtz could feature here, but Arne Slot has stated that he the German is unavailable.
In better news, Jeremie Frimpong is available again, and should he start at right-back, the versatile Dominik Szoboszlai would be freed up to occupy the number ten position.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Unavailable: Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Endo (Injured), Bajcetic (Injured), Wirtz (Injured), Isak (Injured)
Questionable: Danns (Fitness)
West Ham team news: Pablo out again
January signing Pablo Felipe is making progress in his recovery from a leg injury, but this fixture will come too soon for the striker.
Freddie Potts continues his three-match ban while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is understood to still be unavailable, although a timescale on his return has not been offered recently.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Magassa, Fernandes; Bowen, Soucek, Summerville; Castellanos
Unavailable: Fabianski (Injured), Potts (Suspended), Pablo (Injured)
Questionable:
Liverpool vs West Ham prediction
There is no doubting the fact that West Ham have improved recently and they stand a real chance of escaping the drop if they can maintain their current trajectory.
The Hammers have a torrid record at Anfield though, and haven't won any of their last ten meetings with Liverpool overall, losing nine of them.
Having said that, Florian Wirtz has been a bright spark for Slot's side recently, but his injury-forced absence from this fixture may dull the hosts' creative threat somewhat.
Liverpool have recorded some big wins in this matchup over the years, and while they are undoubted favourites, we don't expect them to run away with this one.
Liverpool vs West Ham tip: Under 3.5 goals
