West Ham head north this weekend for a tricky, nay some would say extremely difficult fixture with Liverpool. After having gone down to a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, a second away fixture (on the bounce) at Anfield isn`t one you`d willingly select. But, it`s Anfield we must go to so all we can do is ask that those selected do their utmost for the claret and blue cause.
Vital Quotes:
To follow shortly!
Liverpool Team News:
Perhaps, with Luis Suarez in such dynamic form, we should be a little grateful that his partner in strike-crime, Daniel Sturridge, is out for the foreseeable future with an ankle injury.
Apart from that Brendan Rodgers has a mainly fit squad.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez
His four goals against Norwich City, on Wednesday night, have given me sleepless nights. A class act despite his occasional cannibalistic leaning.
West Ham Team News:
Although Andy Carroll is back in training there is absolutely no chance of the record buy even being in the squad.
The Hammers are also handicapped due to Ravel Morrison being suspended for one match after accumulating five yellow cards/
Our Romanian defender, Razvan Rat is also unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury.
Add them to the long term injury list and you can see what a hard job this fixture will be.
Player to watch: Stewart Downing
Could the former Liverpool old-boy do a number on his former employers?
Match Facts & Stats
Those looking to the record books for a little confidence with regards to our chances might want to look away now!
It is fifty years since we last beat Liverpool at Anfield and that was way back in September 1963 when we won 2-1.
As for recent meetings, we`ve not won any of the last nine games we`ve played against Liverpool.
Ref Watch:
Our officials for the Anfield fixture are;-
Referee – M. Oliver
Assistants – S. Burt and D. England
Fourth Official – P. Dowd
Match Prediction:
I could be bold and brash and go for a Hammers win! I could be conservative and coy and suggest a draw might be the outcome! I could be extremely worried from Green Street and consulting an agony aunt about the possibility of a heavy defeat coming our way, but football works in mysterious ways, anyone for a draw?
Next Fixtures:
Next up for the Hammers is a fixture against Sunderland, next Saturday, at Upton Park.
