Liverpool have struggled to score goals against West Ham this season so their attacking players need to deliver against the Hammers in the FA Cup fourth round replay at Upton Park on Tuesday. West Ham have got the better of Liverpool this season, completing a double in the EPL.
Two-hundred and seventy minutes have gone by and Liverpool are still searching for their first goal against West Ham this season. However, Liverpool have received some good news, as they could start with striker Daniel Sturridge, who was on the bench against Sunderland in their last EPL game. Apart from Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi have returned from their respective injuries and started their training. The duo could play an important role against West Ham.
Liverpool, when they drew 0-0 at Anfield, played with a number of youngsters and they impressed, even though they failed to win the match. However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not sure about the line-up, but will surely come up with a strong first team, which is capable of defeating West Ham. The starting 11 could witness a mix of young and experienced against West Ham.
"We can't say 'this game is not too important' – each game is very important for us. We will try to find a line-up to beat West Ham at West Ham, and that's not too easy," Liverpool's official website quoted Klopp as saying.
"But the last game against West Ham was a good game for us and we saw what we are able to do. We should do it again or better and then we have a chance."
With Klopp having seen players like Christian Benteke misfiring, he has used Roberto Firmino to good effect as a false number nine. It remains to be seen if the German decides to play him in the same position against West Ham or play the Brazilian as a second striker if Sturridge starts.
West Ham, who are set to miss key defender James Tomkins for the huge clash, should be a confident unit at their home turf, and manager Slaven Bilic has been spot on when facing Liverpool. However, the manager knows that Liverpool have been below par, but they have the ammunition in their bag to hurt other teams.
"They are a big club. They've had ups and downs this season but make no mistake, whenever a team is facing them, you have to have a complete game," Bilic was quoted as saying by BBC.
"You can't give them time and space because they will harm you, they have quality. We have to be good, brave, direct and skilful, which we showed in two out of the three games we played against them."
The winner of the clash is set to face Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Where to watch live
West Ham vs Liverpool FA Cup fourth round replay is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm GMT (1am IST, 2:30 pm EST). India viewers can watch the game live on Sony Sixand Sony Six HD with live streaming on Sonyliv.
UK viewers can watch West Ham vs Liverpool FA Cup replay live on BT Sport 2with live streaming on on Watch BT Sport or with the BT Sport Online app.
Viewers in the UScan catch West Ham vs Liverpool FA Cup replay live on Fox Sports 1, while the game can also be live-streamed online on Fox Sports Go.
