The Upcoming Battle
This Saturday, as West Ham United prepare to clash with Liverpool at the London Stadium, it’s more than just a game; it’s about clawing back our Hammers pride after a string of poor defeats and performances. Reeling from their own midweek capitulation, Liverpool, too, are looking to bounce back following the Merseyside derby, making this an intriguing battle of departing managers.
Recent Struggles and Resilience
The Irons have been through a rough patch, with our spirits tested by recent losses to Fulham and Crystal Palace. However, every true Hammer hopes that our players have the bounce-back-ability turn failure into victory. Whilst Arsenal are clearly Liverpool’s main focus in the capital, we can hopefully show them the real academy of football is in East London.
Looking Ahead
Jurgen Klopp’s squad were poor at Goodison Park, and while they lick their wounds, we’re hopefully going to show them that West Ham United have the minerals to recover from the Crystal Palace debacle. It’s not just about the points; it’s also about demonstrating the Irons’ indomitable spirit. Early kick-offs can sometimes create an odd atmosphere in a stadium, however it’s key for Hammers fans to harness some of the noise displayed against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League home leg.
Team Spirit and Tactics
Despite previous encounters with Liverpool, where they’ve had the upper hand, the history books aren’t written yet for this season. It’s been a tough run, with our boys in claret and blue winning just one of our last seven Premier League games. But remember, the London Stadium can provide home advantage despite its obvious drawbacks.
Our manager, David Moyes, was clear about his disappointment after our last outing, but he’s plotting Liverpool’s downfall as he bids to save his job. Despite recent games where we’ve unnecessarily sat back, Irons fans are hoping Moyes has a a strategy that plays to our strengths.
Key Players and Injuries
Injury woes have been a thorn in our side, but there’s hope that our star attacker, Jarrod Bowen, will grace the pitch, his presence a potential game-changer. With Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos racing against time to recover, every Hammer is holding their breath, particularly given Angelo Ogbonna’s performance at Selhurst Park.
Alphonse Areola looks set to replace Lukasz Fabianski between the posts. Meanwhile, changes in defence and midfield are on the cards as Moyes looks to shake things up, with Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell pushing for a start. Kalvin Phillips is itching to prove his mettle, supporting stalwarts like Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez. Unfortunately for Phillips, time may be running out for him despite a half decent cameo at Selhurst Park.
The Opposition
The Reds might bring their A-listers like Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, who’ve been quiet lately but are always a threat. Yet, our lads have faced better teams than the current Liverpool side before and emerged victorious.
Final Thoughts
This match isn’t just another fixture; it’s a chance for West Ham to rise from the ashes of recent defeats and soar high with the support of the best fans in the world. As Liverpool comes knocking, they hopefully won’t find a team in despair but a band of brothers ready to fight for every ball, every tackle, every goal. If that Happens, then David Moyes will have done a remarkable job given the media attention surrounding his future this week.
Possible Lineups
West Ham United Possible Starting Lineup:
Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta; Antonio
Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
COYI
Guest post by Billy Hammer 84