Liverpool will be hoping to put their ‘nightmare week’ behind them as they face a tricky tie with West Ham.
It will be interesting to what team Benitez fields for this one as he knows all 3 points will be required to ease the pressure off him.
Dont forget to discuss this game on our Liverpool FC forum
Vital Quotes:
Benitez: ‘People talk about rotation, but I always try to use the best team each league game.’
Hyypia: ‘We’ve not played anything like our best yet. But we’ve been creating plenty of chances which is encouraging.’
Pardew: ‘We’ve got got great respect for Peter Crouch, but we’ve got a contingency plan with whoever is playing, whether it be Crouch, Garcia, or Morientes.’
Konchesky: ‘Of course it will be tough, but we’re looking to build on the great win against Middlesbrough last weekend and that’s all were concentrating on.’
Liverpool Team News:
Rafa will no doubt make changes to the side that lost to Crystal Palce during the week.
Reina, Zenden, Alonso, Riise, Carragher, Sissoko and Cisse will no doubt feature.
Steve Finnan will most likely start ahead of Raven who played at Selhurst Park.
Harry Kewell, one of the better players on Tuesday, is rested due to ‘tiredness’ accoring to Benitez.
Player to watch: Gerrard
Was the inform player at Palace, together with regular partner Alonso in the middle he should once again prove to be the decisive Liverpool player creating chances for the strikers, and helping out the defence.
West Ham Team News:
There are question marks over Zamora and Benayoun fitness so Pardew will make a late decision on these two.
Ex-Man Utd goalie Carroll is ruled out due to a knee injury.
West Ham see the return of Ferdinand and Gabbidon.
Player to watch: Harewood
Featured in all of West Ham’s games this season and is also their top goalscorer with a total of 4 goals.
Match Facts & Stats
Last 4 results between Liverpool and West Ham:
West Ham 0 – 3 Liverpool – 2nd Feb 2003
Liverpool 2 – 0 West Ham – 2nd Nov 2002
West Ham 1 – 1 Liverpool – 29th Dec 2001
Liverpool 2 – 1 West Ham – 18th Aug 2001
Match Prediction:
Surely Liverpool’s form will improve?
A 2 – 0 win for the Reds.
Next Fixtures:
Liverpool -v- Anderlecht (CL) – 2nd Nov 2005