Liverpool Match Preview
After they guaranteed that European football will continue in Stratford beyond December with a point in a 2-2 draw with KRC Genk three days ago, West Ham United now face the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, as Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool make the trip to East London this afternoon.
The Reds have never lost to the Irons since the hosts moved home in 2016 and David Moyes will hope to end that impressive record and follow-up their recent victories over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. The Scotsman will also be aware that today’s opponents have scored three or more goals in each of their matches away from Anfield this season.
The Hammers will go into this game wanting to build on last weekend’s 4-1 success at Aston Villa, while Klopp’s men are looking to bounce back after a disappointing home draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Both teams were in European action this week and the visitors will certainly be the fresher of the two teams given that they have had one extra day’s preparation. That being said though, with both teams in good form, it will still be interesting to see who comes out on top here.
Vladimír Coufal was handed his first ever start in Europe on Thursday night and the Czech will look to return to the starting line-up with Ben Johnson possibly dropping to the bench in what could be the only change to the side that faced Dean Smith’s villains in their last top-flight outing.
Andriy Yarmolenko and Nikola Vlašić missed out in Belgium due to minor injuries and both will be assessed to see if they can be involved in the matchday squad here.
The match is a 4:30pm kick-off and for the fourth successive game, live coverage is being screened by Sky Sports from 4pm. The referee is Craig Pawson.