A very tasty clash awaits us this FA Cup weekend as Liverpool lock horns with West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday evening. The Hammers have already completed a league double over the Reds this season (the first time they’ve done so in 52 years) and have won three of the last four games between the two sides. They’ve however never beaten the Reds in a FA Cup tie- and Saturday represents a chance to put that record straight.
Liverpool have been involved in a lot of games recently. They were taken to a replay in their previous round FA Cup tie by Exeter, and then needed 120 minutes + penalties to get past Stoke in the League Cup semifinal. Their next league fixture is against league leaders Leicester on Tuesday (West Ham have a relatively easier fixture against struggling Villa), and Klopp is almost certain to rotate as he seeks to keep his players fresh for the business end of the season.
Video- Liverpool 0-3 West Ham United- August 2015
Video West Ham 2-0 Liverpool- January 2016
With a League Cup final against Man City guaranteed, Liverpool fans may even think that a Cup exit could be a blessing in disguise, given the dogfight for European spots in the Premiership and their forthcoming Europa League ties.
Klopp will certainly field a youthful side, though probably not as youthful as the one that took part against Exeter.
Dejan Lovren should return in the heart of defence and there should also be a start for winter signing Steven Caulker, who has made only appearances from the bench so far. There have been plenty of questions asked of Liverpool’s defence and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in particular, and West Ham, especially if they include the mercurially talented Dimitri Payet, will prove to be a very stern test indeed.
Jon Flanagan may not be risked given the heavy workload he shouldered in midweek after returning from a long layoff. There will be no Daniel Sturridge either, with the striker’s struggles with injury continuing.
West Ham are two points ahead of Liverpool in the league going into this fixture and drew 2-2 with title aspirants Manchester City last weekend.
Bilic will be without Sam Byram, who is cup tied, as well as the injured trio of Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini, for whom this game will come too soon.
The Croat has however promised to put out a strong team, with some members from the team that beat Wolves 1-0 in the last round set to be retained.
Liverpool form (recent games)
Liverpool 0-1 Stoke (won 6-5 on penalties)
Norwich 4-5 Liverpool
Liverpool 3-0 Exeter
Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal
Exeter 2-2 Liverpool
West Ham form (recent games)
West Ham 2-2 Man City
Newcastle 2-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 1-3 West Ham
West Ham 1-0 Wolves
West Ham 2-0 Liverpool
West Ham 2-1 Southampton
Despite West Ham’s recent success over the Reds, they remain underdogs with the punters. Reputed UK bookmakers William Hill, for example, have them at an attractive 13/5 (at the time of writing), meaning that £10 on a Hammers victory will give returns of £36 in total.
The referee for this clash will be Martin Atkinson, who oversaw Man City’s League Cup semi against Everton in midweek, and sarcastically told EFC defender Phil Jagielka, “Your defending is brilliant” when the latter questioned him about Raheem Sterling’s cross. He’s angered the blue half of Merseyside, and any controversial decisions may see him attract the wrath of the city’s red half as well.
Game- Liverpool vs West Ham
Venue- Anfield, Liverpool
Date- 30 January, 2016- 17.30 UK
Referee- Martin Atkinson