Liverpool v West Ham

It's been a funny start to the season. Two 1-0 victories followed by a goalless draw that probably injected more optimism into our fans than those two, unconvincing wins. The performance against Arsenal was very fine and probably not too many saw it coming.

For West Ham it's been the other way round. They actually left the Emirates with a victory in their opening game, but after that it's been two home defeats to Leicester and Bournemouth.

And it's a good time to play them, for they are missing three forwards in Carroll, Valencia and Zarate plus their first-choice keeper, Adrian. On top of that, it's looking likely that West Ham will be adding a decent winger to their squad before the window closes (at least Victor Moses and Aaron Lennon have been rumoured), but unless that happens by Saturday, we won't have to worry about such a new arrival.

The only questions about our squad are in central midfield: is Henderson going to be available? Will Lucas keep his place? What about Can? Defence and forwards will surely be the same as against Arsenal.

As long as we don't let them score from a set-piece and keep Payet from linking up with Sakho - while find a way to score ourselves - this one should be in the bag. Right?

I think we should continue with the squad against Arsenal. However, a small part of me says we might sacrifice a CM (Lucas!!!) for an attacker (Ibe!!!) and switch from 433 to 4231.

I'd keep the XI that played against Arsenal and have Lucas concentrate on Payet, who's probably their most dangerous player. Especially with Valencia injured, West Ham have pretty poor winger options: Jarvis, Maiga and Amalfitano. There shouldn't be much danger from out wide, but Payet might pull a rabbit out of the hat in the central position.

Amalfitano is punished and training with youth team and pls Maiga as winger Jarvis is the only decent option but anyway they usually play diamond formation with no wingers so I guess they'll play Sakho-Maiga up front with Payet behind them. Or they'll play that new guy Lanzini and Payet behind Sakho up front, Maiga is too poor to start even for West Ham in current form imo.

West Ham is so garbage right now btw, Payet is the only player in their team that plays football atm + Zarate & Valencia are injured, it'd be an embarassmant if we don't get a comfy win here.

I also think Moreno should start and we should drop Gomez to CB so we get some attacking options from the LWB position, because Jenkinson has been atrocious in the past few games, we need to target that side imo.

Jenkinson is suspended. And Maiga did score in their last game

But I agree, West Ham look poor in attack right now. That's why I said that just don't let them score from a set-piece and keep Payet quiet and we should be good.

Luckily for us Alex Song is not available. We got this.

Art Morte wrote:Jenkinson is suspended. And Maiga did score in their last game

But I agree, West Ham look poor in attack right now. That's why I said that just don't let them score from a set-piece and keep Payet quiet and we should be good.

Modibo Maiga has been sold Al Nassr.

Diafra Sakho was recently (as in earlier this week) arrested and bailed on "suspicion of making threats to kill and witness intimidation." He is unlikely to play due to off-field distractions.

Not winning this game will be the most Liverpool-esque thing to do.

Come on red men, let's go to international break with 10 points, before our best player returns.

They probably have no strikers fit for the LFC game, We have to beat them.

Arsenal had no defenders.
Majority of teams play 3rd back up keepers against us and we still can't score.
West Ham having no strikers has no effect on this game. lol

But Lucas will play so we should win.

Last season, we drew or lost all the games when i failed to see at least a single minue of live action. It doesnt mean that we won every game i watched.. just saying.

I think today I will manage to watch probably last 60 minutes or so.

*bleep* off Lovren. Jesus christ.

MOreno should be playing. Gomez is hurting us by not being able to use his left foot.

Fml such a Liverpool thing to do,loverns done,this *bleep* playing over sahko fml.

Lovren is amazing.

But we look clueless in attack as well. If Coutinho doesn't pull a rabbit out of the hat, we have nothing going for us.

Cou can't save a game like this yet,he isn't good enough. We need to bring on an attacker, having can and Lucas is useless when milners with them, none of them will create much.and with friminho and cou doing nothing, we won't win this.

Lol *bleep* cou, *bleep* amateur red card. FML, can't believe Rodgers came out with this formation, what a *bleep* joke.

LMAO there goes Coutinho from the United match.

Kevin Friend  How on earth is that a foul? Let alone a yellow.

When you have no idea just kick it up we have benteke

We're going to rely on Lucas and milner to feed ings and benteke

We do any more crosses and I'm done, *bleep* useless.

Lololollol

The empty stadium is a disgrace, best fans in the world aye.

Rodgers still makes the same bs mistakes time and time again, it's just comical now.

Our defence is a joke again.

Two goals in four games
Our attack is crap. Well, at least we didn't spend another £70m or so on attacking players again.

West Ham's first league win at Anfield since the 60's. Nice stuff.