Match Information
Match Overview
Liverpool welcome West Ham to Anfield for this Regular Season - 28 fixture, a crucial mid-season encounter as both teams navigate different priorities in the Premier League table. Currently sitting 6th with 45 points from 27 games, Liverpool find themselves in an unexpected battle to secure European qualification rather than challenging for the title, while West Ham occupy a precarious 18th position with just 25 points, firmly entrenched in relegation trouble under Nuno Espirito Santo's management.
The injury situation presents a significant challenge for Arne Slot's Liverpool, with several key players unavailable for this fixture. Most notably, S. Bajcetic remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while C. Bradley's knee problem continues to keep the versatile defender out of contention. W. Endo's absence removes a crucial defensive midfield option, and J. Frimpong's injury further limits tactical flexibility. The potential absence of F. Wirtz, listed as questionable with a muscle injury, could be particularly impactful given his creative influence in the final third. Perhaps most concerning is the broken leg injury to A. Isak, which removes a significant attacking threat from Liverpool's arsenal.
West Ham's recent form suggests a team in crisis, managing just six wins from 27 league games and struggling particularly on the road with only three away victories all season. Their defensive record of 49 goals conceded highlights the structural issues that have plagued them throughout the campaign. However, Liverpool's own inconsistency, with eight defeats already this season, means this fixture carries genuine uncertainty despite the apparent gulf in quality between the sides.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Alisson; D. Szoboszlai, I. Konate, V. van Dijk, M. Kerkez; R. Gravenberch, A. Mac Allister; M. Salah, C. Jones, C. Gakpo; H. Ekitike
West Ham
M. Hermansen; A. Wan-Bissaka, K. Mavropanos, A. Disasi, M. Diouf; J. Bowen, S. Magassa, T. Soucek, M. Fernandes, C. Summerville; T. Castellanos
Team Form Analysis
Liverpool
Liverpool Form Analysis
Liverpool's recent form presents a picture of frustrating inconsistency that has defined their season under Arne Slot. Their last five fixtures show a mixed bag of results, including a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest, which highlighted their ongoing struggles to break down well-organized defensive units. The 3-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton provided some respite, demonstrating their ability to dominate when given space, but the narrow 1-0 wins against Sunderland suggest they're grinding out results rather than playing with the fluidity expected at Anfield.
The 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City exposed defensive vulnerabilities that have been a recurring theme, particularly in transition moments where their high defensive line can be exploited. However, the emphatic 4-1 victory over Newcastle showcased their attacking potential when firing on all cylinders, with multiple players contributing to the goal tally. Their European form has been more convincing, with the 6-0 demolition of Qarabag and 3-0 victory at Marseille demonstrating the quality that remains within this squad. The concerning pattern is their tendency to drop points in winnable league fixtures, as evidenced by draws against Burnley and Arsenal, which has left them scrambling for European qualification rather than challenging at the top of the table.
West Ham
West Ham Form Analysis
West Ham's form under Nuno Espirito Santo reveals a team struggling with both ends of the pitch, managing just six wins from 27 league fixtures while conceding 49 goals. Their recent sequence includes a goalless draw with Bournemouth that extended their winless run in the league, though they did show character to progress in the FA Cup with an extra-time victory over Burton Albion. The 1-1 draw with Manchester United demonstrated their ability to compete against quality opposition at home, but their away form remains deeply concerning with only three victories on the road all season.
The 2-0 victory at Burnley provided a rare highlight, showing they can be clinical when opportunities arise, but the 3-2 defeat to Chelsea after taking a 2-0 lead epitomized their defensive fragility and inability to manage games effectively. Their 3-1 home victory over Sunderland offered hope of building momentum, but subsequent results have failed to capitalize on that positive display. The heavy defeats to Manchester City and Wolves highlighted the gulf in quality when facing well-organized teams, while their attacking output of just 32 goals from 27 games reflects systemic issues in creativity and clinical finishing. The concerning trend is their inability to maintain leads and their vulnerability to conceding multiple goals in quick succession.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool
West Ham
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-30 | West Ham | 0 - 2 | Liverpool |
| 2025-04-13 | Liverpool | 2 - 1 | West Ham |
| 2024-12-29 | West Ham | 0 - 5 | Liverpool |
| 2024-09-25 | Liverpool | 5 - 1 | West Ham |
| 2024-04-27 | West Ham | 2 - 2 | Liverpool |
| 2023-12-20 | Liverpool | 5 - 1 | West Ham |
| 2023-09-24 | Liverpool | 3 - 1 | West Ham |
| 2023-04-26 | West Ham | 1 - 2 | Liverpool |
| 2022-10-19 | Liverpool | 1 - 0 | West Ham |
| 2022-03-05 | Liverpool | 1 - 0 | West Ham |
Memorable Matches
The recent history between Liverpool and West Ham has produced several memorable encounters that highlight the unpredictable nature of this fixture. The December 2024 meeting at the London Stadium saw Liverpool deliver a devastating 5-0 victory that showcased their attacking prowess at its peak, with the Reds scoring three goals in the first half to effectively end the contest before the break. This emphatic win demonstrated the gulf in class when Liverpool are in full flow.
However, West Ham have shown they can compete with their more illustrious opponents, as evidenced by the thrilling 2-2 draw in April 2024 at the London Stadium, where the Hammers twice came from behind to earn a valuable point. The match highlighted West Ham's resilience and ability to trouble Liverpool's defense, particularly through set-piece situations and quick counter-attacks. The League Cup encounter in September 2024 provided another classic, with Liverpool eventually prevailing 5-1 at Anfield, but not before West Ham had taken an early lead to silence the home crowd and demonstrate their capacity to cause upsets in cup competitions.
Venue Factor
Anfield's influence on this fixture cannot be understated, with the famous stadium having witnessed some dominant Liverpool performances against West Ham in recent years. Liverpool's home record this season shows seven wins, three draws, and three defeats from 13 games, indicating that while Anfield remains a fortress, it's not quite the impregnable stronghold of previous seasons. The atmosphere generated by the Kop can be particularly intimidating for visiting teams already struggling with confidence, and West Ham's poor away record suggests they may struggle to cope with the intensity of the occasion.
West Ham's traveling form has been woeful throughout the campaign, managing just three victories from 13 away fixtures while scoring only 15 goals on the road. Their defensive record away from home is equally concerning, having conceded 22 goals in 13 matches, which suggests they struggle to maintain their defensive shape when facing hostile crowds. The psychological impact of playing at Anfield, where the crowd can sense vulnerability and increase the pressure accordingly, may prove decisive for a West Ham side already low on confidence. Liverpool's ability to score 21 goals in 13 home games this season suggests they can exploit the space that West Ham's defensive approach may inadvertently create.
Injury Concerns
Liverpool
West Ham
