Both of these two clubs come into this clash following disastrous defeats last time out, so can either get back to winning ways in, what is, Jürgen Klopp’s favourite kick off time... 12:30 on a Saturday‽
West Ham United vs Liverpool match preview
After a disastrous Merseyside derby defeat on Wednesday, how do Liverpool bounce back, fully in the knowledge that their title dreams are all but over?
In mid-week, the Reds were beaten at Goodison for the first time in 14 years, out-fought and out-played by fierce rivals Everton in a 2-0 reverse, thereby returning across the Stanley Park divide defeated.
Jürgen Klopp’s team have now won only one of their last four in the Premier League and, at this stage of the season, that is enough to extinguish one’s title dreams.
A quick glance at the table will tell you that Liverpool are not out of it, but in reality the maximum number of points they can end up on is 86, while Arsenal’s celling is 89 and Manchester City’s is 91.
Thus, Liverpool need the Gunners to drop at least four points, while Manchester City must lose two of their last five, one of those is possible but both eventualities are extremely unlikely.
So, with games against Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wolves still to come, Klopp’s farewell tour is far from going to plan, so can Liverpool prevent their season from completely unravelling as they head to East London?
We already know that one of these clubs is changing manager this season, but West Ham United may be doing so too, with David Moyes’ case to remain in his post having weakened significantly over the last fortnight.
For a third consecutive season, the Hammers enjoyed a lengthy European tour, although this one ended more prematurely than the previous two, dumped out the Europa League in the quarter-finals by Bayer Leverkusen, which is certainly no disgrace.
However, the Irons’ hopes of being back in UEFA competition next season have been dented by back-to-back defeats, first easily beaten 2-0 by Fulham, before last Sunday’s hammering at Selhurst Park, with Crystal Palace 4-0 up inside half an hour, ultimately prevailing 5-2.
So, having won only three of 15 league games in 2024, West Ham find themselves eighth, two points below Newcastle, the side occupying the final European spot.
The Hammers’ remaining fixtures are Chelsea (A), Luton (H) and Manchester City (A), so Moyes may be set for a fairly miserable exit, after what’s been, all in all, an historic spell in charge.
The Irons have won only one of eight home league games since Christmas but, with a beleaguered and fatigued Liverpool in town, the London Stadium will be up for this one, so can the hosts claim a famous win?
West Ham United vs Liverpool Tips
Liverpool have an imperious recent record against West Ham, winning 13 of their last 15 encounters, including each of the last five, defeating them twice already this season, 3-1 in the league and then 5-1 in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, both at Anfield.
Since the Hammers moved into the London Stadium, the Reds have won five of seven visits, including a 2-1 win one year and one day ago, although they were beaten 3-2 the season before, their sole defeat on this ground.
From a Liverpool perspective, everything appears poised for an upset, considering their recent downturn in form, and the fact this is an early Saturday kick off, that they notoriously despise.
Contrary to the zeitgeist however, Jürgen Klopp’s team are unbeaten across all four away games at 12:30 on Saturday this season, beating Wolves, Crystal Palace and Brentford, whilst drawing at Manchester City.
The fact West Ham are also in terrible form too suggest they’re not well-placed to exacerbate what’s already been a sobering week for the Reds.
In terms of both teams to score, this has occurred in 12 of the last 17 encounters between these two sides.
Meanwhile, this has been the case in eight of Liverpool’s last 12 outings, while also happening in nine of West Ham’s last 13 fixtures.
Mohamed Salah has not been in good form at all of late, making little to no discernible impact during the Merseyside derby, having just 37 touches but still mustering seven shots, only two of which hit the target.
Nevertheless, the Egyptian remains the Reds primary goal-threat, having netted 24 times this campaign, so we’re backing him to add to his 11 career goals against West Ham, already netting against them in both encounters this season, only on target against Man United (14) more frequently during his entire career.
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