After a successful summer transfer window for both sides, the Premier League returns for West Ham with a trip to Anfield this Sunday, an immediate tough task for Manuel Pellegrini’s new look side.
Liverpool are unbeaten against the Hammers in their previous four league outings, who will be looking to make this five with a winning start to their Premier League campaign.
Nevertheless, Pellegrini will be looking to make an instant impact in charge of West Ham by stopping last year’s Champions League finalists from getting off to the perfect start.
The Reds made some excellent coups during the summer, with the signings of Brazilians Fabinho and Alisson Becker, plus Naby Keita from RB Leipzig and Xherdan Shaqiri from relegated Stoke.
However, the Hammers have done some fantastic business of their own this summer. They have seen 10 new faces arrive, with the additions of Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko, Lucas Perez and Jack Wilshere bolstering their attacking options.
Leaking goals was a real issue for West Ham last season. It is an area that Pellegrini targeted for improvement, and the signings of Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks have certainly improved that back line.
Both sides endured successful pre-seasons, only losing one game each and looking strong going into the start of the new campaign.
Team News
Fabinho could be a noticeable absentee for Klopp, who faces a late fitness test before the match on Sunday.
Defensively the home side could have some issues, with the possibility that they will only have one recognised first team centre back at their disposal.
Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip are all unlikely to feature, meanwhile Joe Gomez will also face a late fitness test ahead of Sunday.
West Ham will be without Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini and Edmilson Fernandes for their trip to Anfield.
Michail Antonio and Andriy Yarmolenko could both miss out, but that decision will be made late Saturday.
Match Stats
Last five Premier league meetings:
24 Feb 2018 – Liverpool 4-1 West Ham
04 Nov 2017 – West Ham 1-4 Liverpool
14 May 2017 – West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
11 Dec 2016 – Liverpool 2-2 West Ham
02 Jan 2016 – West Ham 2-0 Liverpool
Predicted Line-ups
Here is how I see both sides lining up on Sunday –
Score Prediction – Liverpool 2-2 West Ham
As for how I think it will go, it is going to be a difficult test for West Ham, but if we can perform and go at Liverpool, we may surprise a few. I am going with a 2-2 draw.
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