Johnson: Hammers will go to toe to toe with Reds
The Hammers showed last season they are more than capable against the bigger clubs and could consider themselves unlucky in a 0-1 defeat on Merseyside.
They battled brilliantly and had their chances but, with no recognised central defenders fully fit apparently it could be a tad more difficult tomorrow,
Having said that Ben himself looked in decent form in a back three at Saints and has plenty of belief in the improving squad despite gaining only a point at St Marys.
However, there remains a chance that Kurt Zouma could be back for a match at a stadium where the right back believes we have the right to expect some sort of result.
West Ham split the points with Liverpool last season, winning 3-2 at home before losing 0-1 away, with Johnson starting both matches, while the previous two campaigns brought narrow 2-3 and 1-2 defeats at Anfield.
And he said: “One hundred per cent, [we can go there and have a go]. The last few times we’ve been there, we’ve been unfortunate with the results, during COVID and last season as well, when we lost one-nil
“All the lads will be up for it in that atmosphere and to play in such a fantastic stadium against fantastic players, so we’ll go toe-to-toe with them.”
The Italian has not just scored goals, but his link and hold-up play and willingness to make himself available for the ball have impressed his teammates and supporters alike.
“Luca has been a fantastic addition and I think competition in all areas of the pitch makes you play better,” Johnson observed.
“For Mick (Michail Antonio) as well, whenever Mick has come in in Europe and in the Premier League as well, he has looked very sharp since Luca has come and I’m sure he’ll have his chance starting again or even playing with both of them up front.
“He brings us a different option to Mick and I think that’s what you need in a squad. For example, Flynn [Downes] gives you something different to Tom [Soucek] and Dec [Rice] and it gives the manager options.
“Around the back as well, we’ve got a lot of options, so hopefully we can push on with that and gain a lot of momentum in the Premier League because it’s the most important competition for us.”