Friday, April 05, 2013

Match Preview: Liverpool vs West Ham

Liverpool will be looking to remain in the hunt for Europe when they welcome West Ham United to Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds sit seventh heading into the latest round of fixtures, three points adrift of arch-rivals Everton and five short of fifth-placed Arsenal.

Overhauling the Toffees will be a top priority for Brendan Rodgers and his players, with it important for them to end the campaign as the top team on Merseyside.

Should they succeed in that quest, they may find themselves back in the Europa League for 2013/14.

Four wins in their last five have helped to keep Liverpool in contention and they will be determined to end a campaign which started slowly with a flourish.

West Ham are, however, looking to end any lingering doubts regarding their top-flight status.

Two victories in their last three Premier League outings have helped to lift them six points clear of the drop zone and one more win should be enough to see them safe.

Sam Allardyce will, however, be setting his sights higher than that, with a top-half finish still very much on the cards at Upton Park.

They may find the going tough this weekend, though, with the Hammers yet to secure a Premier League victory at Anfield - taking just four points from 16 previous visits.

Liverpool has no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with heading into the weekend.

Long-term absentees Martin Kelly (knee), Joe Allen and Fabio Borini (both shoulder) remain the only men on the sidelines.

It is possible that Rodgers will keep faith with the starting XI that came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 last time out, meaning Daniel Sturridge and Martin Skrtel will once again have to make do places on the bench.

West Ham will be unable to call upon the services of in-form Andy Carroll, as the terms of his loan agreement prevent him from playing against his parent club.

Joe Cole may, however, line up against former employers, with the midfielder expected to shake off a hamstring complaint in time to put himself in contention.

Mark Noble (shoulder) and George McCartney (knee) are unlikely to figure for the Hammers again this season.

Other Facts:

Liverpool has won six of their last eight clashes with West Ham United in the Barclays Premier League (L1 D1).

After masterminding a draw on his first Premier League trip to Anfield (Jan 2002), Sam Allardyce has seen his teams lose on each of his last eight trips there.

Liverpool have won five of their last six home league matches; losing the other.

Philippe Coutinho has three times as many Premier League assists for Liverpool in six apps (3) as Joe Cole managed in 26 for the club (1).

The Brazilian playmaker has been involved in a Premier League goal every 74 minutes on average since joining the club (scoring two and assisting three in 369 minutes).

Joe Cole scored in the last Premier League meetings between these two teams. At the time, he was a Liverpool player. The England international has netted three times against Liverpool in the Premier League; against no other team has he managed more.

Steven Gerrard has been involved in 18 Premier League goals this season, only in 2008-09 (25) and 2007-08 (19) has he been more productive.

Luis Suarez has created 77 chances from open play this season; more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Liverpool has fired 242 shots off target in the league this season; 35 more than any other side (Man City).

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