LIVERPOOL VS. WEST HAM UNITED

| Saturday, February 28th |
Premier League | Anfield
3PM BST/10AM EST

Though the Hammers are very much fighting for survival, they come to Anfield in good form: they have one loss in six league matches and have kept two clean sheets in their last three outings. The 11 points they’ve earned in their last six games is as many as they managed in their previous 18, underscoring the strength of this improvement. They are fighting for Premier League survival, but at the moment seem in a position of optimism.

If the Hammers are strengthening, Nuno Espiríto Santo will claim some credit; that said, he has lost more games as a manager against Liverpool in the Premier League (8) than against any other side.

West Ham United will be without Pablo Felipe, who has not joined the team yet and is still working through his own training program.

Though Liverpool are not alone in finding Jarrod Bowen among the biggest challenges on this West Ham side, it’s worth noting that he has been central to the team’s efforts against Liverpool, specifically. Bowen has either scored (two) or assisted (three) in five of West Ham’s last seven league goals against the Reds. The Englishman will need to be neutralized on Saturday.

A potential positive wrapped in the negatives: though the Reds have been waiting to score very late in games, West Ham have been known to concede late. If Liverpool fail to take advantage early, then, at least there’s precedent for late drama.

Late drama has happened in Premier League matches involving Liverpool robbery than any other side this season, with 13 goals coming at 90’ or later — though only seven of those goals were for the Reds. Nine have altered the match outcome, with three being winners for Liverpool.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)

Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo

The Reds will again be without the attacking spark of Florian Wirtz on Saturday, as the German has not overcome the back issue that took him out of contention against Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s approach was a bit of a hard watch last time out, though we can hope more warning for being Writz-less might allow for a more effective plan B. In his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot noted that his absence is of course bad for the team, but also for the player’s own rhythm: he was just beginning to show his best for the Reds.

On the positive side, Jeremie Frimpong will be available for the Reds having trained with the team multiple times over the week. Slot might still prefer to start Dominik Szoboszlai at right back given the length of Frimpong’s absence, but having Szoboszlai in the midfield to make up for Wirtz’s absence will be tempting. There are no other changes in Liverpool’s availability.

Liverpool have won 15 of their 19 Premier League matches against West Ham United, drawing three and losing just one (a 3-2 away loss back in 2021).

In previous meetings Mohamed Salah has done well against West Ham, scoring 11 and assisting six — numbers that put him in the top set against this opponent. He’s been struggling lately, and perhaps an opponent that has proved fruitful for him in the past might jump-start a late resurgence for the Egyptian.

The Managers Have Their Say

Arne Slot: “I cannot manipulate the fact we have struggled a lot against the teams who were promoted or near the bottom. We understand how difficult winning games in general is – it doesn’t matter where they are in the table.”
Nuno Espírito Santo: “Going to Anfield is always tough, it’s a big challenge and it can bring the best out of us. That’s the main motivation – we have to keep chasing, and it’s going to be a fight. Being a chaser is the reality. It’s been that way for a while, but we’re in the fight.”

Referee: Tim Robinson Assistants: Richard West, Marc Perry Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh VAR: Michael Salisbury Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes

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