Reds visit London Stadium

In the latest chapter of their wonderful story, Liverpool visit West Ham United in bid for a 24th consecutive unbeaten fixture.

And a 23rd win in 24 at that.

Last season in this fixture Liverpool came unstuck – after thrashing them 4-0 at Anfield Liverpool faltered to a 1-1 draw thanks to a stunning strike from Michail Antonio.

The manager in charge then, Manuel Pellegrini, has since been proceeded by his predecessor in David Moyes and the Irons, after a bright start, have continued to decline to 17th – level on points with the sides below them.

West Ham remain in turmoil, but as Jurgen Klopp and his side who faced Shrewsbury this weekend know, anything is possible in football.

The Reds may have bottled their two goal lead against the Shrews in the Cup, but their two goals against Wolves were well and truly worth three points.

Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino’s goals – sandwiching a wonderful header from Raul Jimenez – secured the Reds another win on the way to perhaps a title with a sense of inevitability about it.

This will be the Reds’ final game in hand over Manchester City. If they do win, they will go 19 points clear. And by the next time City play they could be 22. Twenty two.

Team news

The hosts will for sure be without the guile of Jack Wilshere, the power of Andriy Yarmolenko and the prowess of Felipe Anderson for the clash. Ryan Fredericks will join them on the side-lines, with Robert Snodgrass, Arthur Masuaku and key man Lukasz Fabianski face late fitness test.

The notable absentee for the Reds is Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane, but James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne also are definite to miss the clash in the capital. Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita should be fit, whilst Adam Lallana is expected to have recovered from illness.

From The Dugout

David Moyes: 

“Nobody at this moment in time has beaten Liverpool so that is something that we have to aim to do. We’ll attempt to do that, but obviously we know their quality.

“I don’t think I can give you too many weaknesses in the Liverpool team.

“First of all, it would probably alert them to what I’m thinking, but there are also very few weaknesses in a team that wins the Champions League and a team that wins the Club World Cup.

“From that point of view, I think everybody’s well aware how difficult the challenge is.

“But everybody gets the chance to throw a punch somewhere along the line, and sometimes you can get a lucky one. We’ve got to make sure we get the lucky one.”

Jurgen Klopp:

“West Ham fight for the league and that is what it looks like. A big fight. Four or five at the back, different possibilities but we have to be ready. They have no time to waste. It will be just a tough one. We can do what we have to do. Fight, set the intensity level.”

Head-to-head

West Ham United WINS – 28

DRAWS – 37

Liverpool WINS – 74