Liverpool 1-0 West Ham LIVE: Score, goals and updates; Premier League latest, Salah nets

Express Sport brings you all the latest Premier League action as Liverpool entertain West Ham at Anfield

Liverpool, who were the summer’s biggest spenders with a £170m outlay, are looking to start the season in style.

Jurgen Klopp added Alisson Becker, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri to his ranks over the summer and that’s seen them installed as second favourites for the title.

West Ham spent £61m on five players, including the club-record signing of Felipe Anderson for £40m and the acquisition of free agent Jack Wilshere.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Keita, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Rice, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Noble, Wilshere, Anderson, Arnautovic, Antonio.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST HAM – SALAH (19)

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 BURNLEY

LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST HAM

27: Naby Keita with an effort. The summer signing bundles his way into the area and somehow produces a shot that bends wide of the post. West Ham really under the cosh here, Liverpool are relentless.

Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in five goals in his three Premier League meetings with West Ham for Liverpool (4 goals, 1 assist).

24: What a save! Alexander-Arnold curls it to the top right-hand corner where the diving Fabianski pushes it clear.

23: Mark Noble ignores my wisdom by diving in clumsily on Roberto Firmino and concedes a free-kick in a central position around 25-yards from goal.

I think Trent Alexander-Arnold will take…

21: West Ham need to be sensible here. They can’t afford to go chasing the game at this early stage. There’s plenty of time left and they don’t need to open themselves up.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 WEST HAM – SALAH

19: Guess who? It took Mohamed Salah just 19 minutes to score his first goal of the campaign. He’s just a one season wonder though, right?

It’s patient build-up play down the left from Liverpool with Andrew Robertson powering a low cross from the left that the Egyptian prods into an empty net from point-blank range.

Liverpool up and running for the season.

18: Close! James Milner whips a low cross through the corridor of uncertainty but neither Salah or Firmino could get the crucial touch. It’s all Liverpool here at Anfield.

17: And there’s the evidence of the dangers of playing a high line. Milner whips a clever cross over the ball-watching West Ham defence and Sadio Mane is inches from prodding it beyond Fabianski.

14: First test for Virgil van Dijk and Co as Arnautovic wins a corner. Wilshere trots over to take it… it sails over Antonio and Liverpool launch an attack of their own until Anderson snuffs it out.

12: The atmosphere has settled a touch with West Ham seeing a little bit more possession. Felipe Anderson is doing a decent job down the left tracking TAA up and down the field.

Manuel Pellegrini has his side playing quite a high line. It’s certainly a brave tactic against a rapid counter-attacking team.

9: Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah pick up from where they left off last season. The Egyptian pokes a ball to the overlapping Firmino but his first touch is poor and Fabianski gathers.

6: Wijnaldum and TAA combine nicely in West Ham territory and the full-back delivers a first-time ball into the area that trickles out the other side for a throw-in.

4: Interesting to see a midfield three of James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Naby Keita for Liverpool. I was expecting Milner to play the holding role but he’s quite advanced in these early stages. Who says he’s boring?!

2: Confident start from the hosts with Trent Alexander-Arnold racing down the right flank and cross for Roberto Firmino, who hooks it across goal.

That’s all well and good, but how weird is it to see Jack Wilshere in a West Ham shirt? Doesn’t feel right!

LIVERPOOL 0-0 WEST HAM

1: And we’re off! Are Liverpool genuine title contenders this season? We’re about to find out!

Y’ALL READY FOR THIS?

13:25: Five minutes to kick-off here at Anfield. The weather forecast says there will be rain and thunderstorms in Liverpool this afternoon.

The players are just emerging from the tunnel now to the first YNWA of the season. Good atmosphere here on Merseyside.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Andrew: Liverpool bias as usual on Sky Sports. They are only talking about Liverpool in the build-up. No mention of West Ham. No surprise with only ex-Liverpool players providing the punditry.

Hassan Anfield: Do my eyes deceive me or do we finally have a strong bench? Lovren, Matip, Ox still missing, for the first time in years LFC finally have depth.

Kaushik: Excited about Liverpool’s season – finally a good starting 11 & an equally good bench, something we didn’t have last year! Ox, Matip, Klavan, Woodburn not even in the side! Mind you, on paper West Ham’s starting 11 midfield onwards looks really good too!

SALAH, MESSI, RONALDO…

13:20: You know you’re doing something right when you’re keeping company like this…

Mohamed Salah joined regulars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on UEFA’s shortlist for the best forwards who played in Champions League last season.

Ronaldo, who won the award last year, topped the scoring charts with 15 goals in the competition as Real Madrid won a third consecutive European crown.

Egypt’s Salah led Liverpool’s remarkable run to the final with 10 goals and four assists, while Barcelona talisman Messi netted six goals.

The winners will be announced during the 2018-19 Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 30.

SOUTHAMPTON vs BURNLEY

13:15: Liverpool vs West Ham isn’t the only ticket in town this afternoon. Burnley and Southampton also get their campaigns underway on the south coast.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche made four changes for his team’s Premier League opener against Southampton after the midweek trip to Turkey.

Following Thursday’s goalless first leg of their Europa League qualifier against Istanbul Basaksehir, Dyche brought in Matthew Lowton, Stephen Ward, Aaron Lennon and Chris Wood, with Jon Walters, Ashley Barnes, Phil Bardsley and Charlie Taylor dropping to the bench.

Hosts Southampton gave debuts to summer signings Stuart Armstrong and Jannik Vestergaard, with on-loan Liverpool striker Danny Ings named on the bench.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Stephens, Vestergaard, Hoedt, Cedric, Romeu, Lemina, Bertrand, Armstrong, Redmond, Austin.

Subs: Ings, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Gabbiadini, Hojbjerg, Gunn, Bednarek.

Burnley XI: Hart, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward, Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Lennon, Hendrick, Wood.

Subs: Heaton, Taylor, Vokes, Barnes, Gibson, Walters, Bardsley.

FANTASY FOOTBALL…

13:10: Obviously West Ham and Liverpool fans have been looking forward to today’s showdown at Anfield, but fantasy football managers across the land are also on the edge of their seats.

Just about every team that I’ve seen includes Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson.

I suppose the fact that Liverpool have scored four goals in each of the last three Premier League matches against West Ham has contributed to their inclusions…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Michael: Not seen a Liverpool bench this strong since Klopp fielded a weakened first XI in the Merseyside derby at the end of last season. This is one bolstered squad.

Arvind: TAA and Gomez are going to be tested by Anderson and Arnautovic. That Liverpool line-up looks frightening. There will be goals today for both sides.

Luke: Have to say I think West Ham have done the best business this summer. Also have to say I think that Henderson and Shaqiri have found their most likely positions this season… on the bench.

JURGEN KLOPP ON STARTING XI

13:05: The Liverpool boss has been explaining his first line-up of the season.

“Alisson has to play his game. We have worked together for two weeks – that’s not the world but it’s ok,” Klopp said. “Naby was here for all six weeks of the pre-season, like Fabinho. Shaqiri came later. Both are in the squad, that’s very important for us.

“Usually in the past, I think I always played with the team of last year at the beginning of the season but Hendo came back a bit late and stuff like that, so it makes sense.

“And they played really well together in midfield, for example against Napoli. Gini, Naby and Millie have worked together since we started pre-season, so that’s the midfield we wanted to have.

“Up front is clear. The defensive line is pretty much the defensive line of last year; Joe Gomez is in now at centre-half, he played a good pre-season. Of course, I never forget the last season – why should I? But the actual performance and impression in training is more important, and that’s the line-up.”

COVERAGE…

13:00: So after a summer of twiddling their thumbs and showing still images of the World Cup – Sky Sports are back in their element.

Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness are back, and there’s a return for Jamie Carragher after being suspended in March for spitting at a Manchester United fan and his daughter from his own car window.

Former England and Arsenal star Alex Scott is also making history as the first female pundit on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday.

‘WE’LL BE COMPETITIVE’

12:55: Manuel Pellegrini is confident West Ham have built a squad to be competitive in the Premier League.

I should hope so after you’ve spent £100million on nine new signings including Lucas Perez, Andriy Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson, Manuel!

“When I talked with the owners, we agreed we needed to work on a project,” Pellegrini said. “They wanted to invest money to bring in players. We have improved the squad, all of the players are here because I asked for them.

“For me as a manager, it’s difficult when you don’t have options. We have options, I choose the starting XI and they know that during the whole season, you need a strong squad. We have two players in each position and they must work in a competitive way and it’s my duty to pick the team I think is the best.”

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Betsy: What’s y’all prediction for the game? I’m going for a 5-0 Liverpool win. Mohamed Salah brace and Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane with a goal each… Daniel Sturridge might chip in with one from the bench.

Kieran: I Already feel sorry for the West Ham players waking up knowing that they have to have their backsides handed to them today by the best team in the Premier League.

Tracey: I expect a comprehensive win for Liverpool today with the talent on the field and on the bench. No messing about, please!

Wow, the levels of confidence from some Liverpool fans is astounding. Nobody think Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham can cause an upset?!

GK NERVES?

12:45: None for Alisson, says Jurgen Klopp. Talk about confidence, eh?

The Brazil international was, until Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga this week, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £65million move from Roma.

Alisson came to pre-season training later than the main group because of his involvement in the World Cup and has played just two friendlies against Napoli and Torino in the last six days.

But Klopp has no worries about the 25-year-old making an instant impact.

“Just be a goalkeeper. Be yourself, in this case, because he is very calm and laid back – and that helps,” said Klopp. “It’s about making the right decisions in the right moments. It’s all good. He’s settled really quick, as if he’s been here longer than two weeks. That’s all fine.”

TEAM NEWS – WEST HAM

12:40: West Ham fielded five new signings in their side with Lukasz Fabianski, Ryan Fredericks, Fabian Balbuena, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson all making their debuts.

 TEAM NEWS – LIVERPOOL

12:35: Two debutants for Liverpool this afternoon as Jurgen Klopp throws Alisson and Naby Keita straight into the mix.

There’s a slight surprise with Joe Gomez starting alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson operating on either side.

But there were few options for Klopp with Joel Matip injured and Dejan Lovren having only just returned to training on Monday after a busy World Cup campaign.

There are no surprises about Liverpool’s front three. Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino start in attack.

New recruits Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri start on the bench, along with Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson.

LIVERPOOL vs WEST HAM

12:30: And here are the line-ups. Jurgen Klopp names a strong starting XI with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all involved.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Keita, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Clyne, Fabinho, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Shaqiri.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Rice, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Noble, Wilshere, Anderson, Arnautovic, Antonio.

Subs: Adrian, Zabaleta, Snodgrass, Obiang, Hernandez, Yarmolenko, Diop.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Sharif: Honestly don’t know what to expect from Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham as they have made some great signings, but expecting us to hammer them. (Pun very much intended)!

Dan: Result in someways irrelevant, Liverpool will be challenging City for the title this year, but an encouraging performance and something to get excited about would be spot on.

Lennox: Worried about today’s game and I have no idea why! It’s not like a Pellegrini team has ever given us a headache tbh. Come ON you REDS!

LIVERPOOL TO DELIVER…

12:25: Jurgen Klopp is not concerned with critics who suggest he is looking to buy Liverpool’s way to the title, but with more than £170million spent in the summer – including a short-lived world record fee for a goalkeeper of £65m to bring Brazilian Alisson Becker to Anfield from Roma – the pressure is now firmly on the German’s team to deliver.

While Europe will again offer Liverpool an outlet to entertain, getting themselves back into the Premier League shake-up is the priority, both in the stands and the boardroom.

GOOD AFTERNOON

12:20: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs West Ham from Anfield.

How’s everyone feeling today? I know we’ve had the World Cup to entertain us this summer but there’s nothing quite like Premier League football on a Sunday.

And what a Sunday we have ahead of us.

Liverpool and West Ham get us underway, and that’s followed by a mouth-watering showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

Southampton are also playing Burnley but if that’s not a goalless draw I’ll personally write to Sean Dyche and Mark Hughes to apologies.

Anyway, we’ve got the team news and line-ups coming up, so stay tuned!

LIVERPOOL vs WEST HAM

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is a doubt, a scan on a muscle injury came back clear but he was sent home from training after feeling unwell.

Joe Gomez should be fit but Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip are out and Dejan Lovren will not be considered having only recently returned from extended leave.

Of West Ham’s nine summer signings, keeper Lukasz Fabianski, full-back Ryan Fredericks, centre-half Issa Diop, midfielder Jack Wilshere and attackers Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson are likely starters. Winston Reid, Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini are out and Edimilson Fernandes is a doubt.

Last season: Liverpool 4 West Ham 1, West Ham 1 Liverpool 4

Referee: Anthony Taylor