West Ham vs Liverpool
England – Premier League
Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2020
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: Olympic Stadium (London).
Klopp may have made 11 changes to his team for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Montgomery Waters Meadow, but disappointment at the final result is clear to see as a Liverpool throw away two-goal lead against a team that just seemed to want more.
There are signs in the first half angry might be possible, with Adrian made two good stops to keep the hosts at bay, but disaster Donald Love's own goal just 28 seconds into the second half appeared to wrap things up for the Reds.
Jason Cummings had other ideas, though, and his brace today has received Shrewsbury replay at Anfield dream - a great opportunity for the club but the unwanted extra game for the other.
Indeed, Klopp has confirmed its intention to follow a similar path to the one that led to Liverpool Cup exit EFL at the replay, play U-23 side by Neil Critchley responsible than making the first player of his team - and himself - to cancel their plans for the winter holidays.
It is a sign of a controversial but obvious that the Premier League is by far and away the priority of Liverpool right now, and even with a 16-point advantage which could be increased to 19 at the Stadium London on Wednesday, Klopp did not want to take risks in front of it.
contest Wednesday will be their game in hand after it was initially postponed for the Club World Cup, and even there is no chance for the chasing pack far to close the gap if Liverpool do not slip, despite formbook shows that this will not be the case anyway.
West Ham also beaten by Leicester City side shorn of top-scorer Jamie Vardy in their last league outing, and then even more disappointing defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion in the cup - Slaven Bilic back to his former club and 10-man Championship leading high- leaflets to win 1-0.
The Hammers have lost 13 of their last 20 matches in all competitions, and since the beginning of October no team has gained fewer points or lost more games in the top flight of David Moyes's side.
As sweltering run has left them linger perilously close to the relegation zone, just outside the bottom three on goal difference. Should Liverpool win by four goals on Wednesday night and then West Ham will slip under the Bournemouth on the wrong side of the dotted line, while the heavier defeat would see them sink to 19th.
For a team that has conceded 38 goals this season which is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility, especially with West Ham also have the joint-worst home record in the division.
The reason for optimism ahead of this game are few and far between, then, but the Hammers might take some confidence from the fact that they have beaten Manchester United and Chelsea in the league this season.
Liverpool is a completely different proposition, though, and with only one home victory in the competition since the victory over United it is difficult to see them be the team to stop the Merseyside giants.
Then again, the same will be said of Shrewsbury and, while Liverpool will be back to full strength and demand response in this one, the latest sprinkle of magic of the FA Cup can help to provide some inspiration underdogs on Wednesday night.
Team News
West Ham
Moyes went into a meeting with old rivals Liverpool - from his days managing Everton and then Man Utd - with a question mark over Arthur Masuaku and Robert Snodgrass although the latter will be hoping to be fit. Sébastien Haller, who have struggled in front of goal, could make way for Michail Antonio ahead. Lukasz Fabianski has run foul of luck with injury and is set to be out until early February.
XI predicted: Randolph; Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Rice; Snodgrass, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio.
Liverpool
Perhaps there is a big change from the Liverpool side Klopp fielded in their 2-1 win over Wolves last week. Sadio Mané may be required to sit a trip to east London after picking up a thigh injury last time, with or Takumi Minamino Divock Origi in line to replace him. Adam Lallana, James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri doubt while Fabinho back for the FA Cup draw against Shrewsbury but not at his best and can be kept on ice until after the winter break.
XI predicted: Dread; Alexander Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum; One, Firmino, origi.
PREDICTION
WEST HAM UNITED 0-2 LIVERPOOL
David Moyes' Hammers are really struggling at the moment. Anything less than three points for Liverpool on Wednesday night would be very disappointing for Jurgen Klopp's side. Liverpool win, even without Sadio Mané.
