Claretandhugh’s top columnist Leroy Rosenior believes Sam Allardyce will adopt a “stop Steven Gerard” approach as the Hammers head into a vital home clash against Liverpool.

And after the encouraging display against Hull City on Monday night the former Hammers striker believes the crowd will be blowing bubbles at the end having gained “at least a draw.”

Talking ahead of the game he said: “Nobody can knock Sam at the moment because he gave the supporters what they wanted.

“He will change it a bit tomorrow and my view is that although he will stick with Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho one of the other of them will drop into a widfe midfield to reinforce things when Liverpool are on the ball.

“But he must not desert the diamond – they looked a very different and very effective side against Hull and should have won the game.”

He sees Mauro Zarate – at the head of the diamond as being the man deployed to stop Gerrard getting on the ball and  Stewart Downing at the bottom as being the guy who starts things up.

He said: “Stewart is now a senior West Ham player and in that more central role against Hull brought an awful lot to the game.

“I love Valencia and apart from the wonder goal was excellent in the air – he looks a real player who can trouble anybody.”

Pointing out that Liverpool are a little unsettled at the moment he added: “I really think this is a good time to be meeting them and as Sam has pointed out their attacking style will leave gaps for the Hammers to exploit.

“We were the better team at Hull and we can surprise Liverpool although I believe it will probably be a 1-1 draw – there’s goals in the game.”

Leroy’s verdict 1-1