Manuel Pellegrini speaks! “Cresswell was injured the last game, but he is normally in the starting eleven. Pablo has been playing too many games so I think it is good for him to take a rest. Hernandez knows what he can give to the team, he’s a box player. Unfortunately for us he’s had a lot of injuries, now he’s got the chance again to start, and hopefully he’ll give us the goal we couldn’t get in the last games. We are playing against the leader, the best team this season, but in football you never know. We are not going to change our style, we are trying to win from the first minute.”
Both managers make three changes from midweek. West Ham were hoping that Marko Arnautovic would recover from the foot injury he picked up in the 3-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he’s not made it. His place up front is taken by Javier Hernandez. Meanwhile Pablo Zabaleta and Arthur Masuaku drop to the bench, making way for Ryan Fredericks and Aaron Cresswell.
Liverpool are forced into a rejig in the wake of the 1-1 draw with Leicester City. Jordan Henderson has a muscle problem, while Georginio Wijnaldum has a sore knee. James Milner fills in at left-back, while Fabinho returns to the midfield. Meanwhile Xherdan Shaqiri makes way for Adam Lallana.
The teams
West Ham United: Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Snodgrass, Noble, Rice, Felipe Anderson, Antonio, Hernandez.
Subs: Zabaleta, Carroll, Adrian, Obiang, Masuaku, Lucas Perez, Diangana.
Liverpool: Alisson, Milner, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Mane, Firmino, Lallana, Salah.
Subs: Sturridge, Moreno, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Origi, Jones, Camacho.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
Preamble
Manuel Pellegrini has already denied Liverpool a first title since 1990, of course. He was the Manchester City manager who pipped Brendan, Luis, Stevie et al to the Premier League back in 2014. And if he does a number on them as West Ham United boss tonight, he’ll throw a spanner in the works of their latest championship challenge. “If we win, I will be very happy for our club first,” he says. “After that, if we can give a hand to Manchester City, it’s not our problem, but of course I am a fan of Manchester City also.”
Looking at it one way, Pellegrini is talking more in hope than expectation. Liverpool have put four goals past West Ham in each of their last four meetings. They’re top of the table, two points clear of champions Manchester City with a game in hand, while the Hammers are marooned in mid-table having lost their last three matches. That’ll explain why the home side are priced 8-1 for the win at your local turf accountant.
Then again, West Ham were extremely impressive in their last match at the London Stadium, a victory over Arsenal more comprehensive than the 1-0 scoreline suggests. Their most potent goal threat, Marko Arnautovic, is expected to have recovered from injury in time for this match. Also, Declan Rice. Overall, the Hammers are steadily improving under Pellegrini, and are certainly more of a threat than the team brushed aside at Anfield on the opening day.
And Liverpool will be nervous. It’s only February, but with City breathing down their necks, any dropped points will feel like … well, a Hammer blow. Which sets this up deliciously. Both teams are desirous of a statement victory, West Ham to regain that upward momentum, Liverpool to re-establish that five-point cushion at the top. Here goes another crucial match in the title race, then. It’s on!
Kick off: 8pm GMT.