West Ham vs Liverpool as it happened: Jurgen Klopp's side take big step closer to Champions League
Re-live the Premier League clash at the London Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool must beat West Ham United at the London Stadium to retain the upper hand in the race for a top-four Premier League finish.
- Arsenal and Liverpool could meet in Premier League top four play-off in Champions League battle
- Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joins Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti for first-ever hologram press conference
- Philippe Coutinho will stay as he knows he is in the 'right place', says Jurgen Klopp
- Michail Antonio shuns Chelsea interest to sign new long-term deal with West Ham
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 2.15pm on Sunday 14 May.
Where can I watch it?
It will be televised live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage starting at 2.00pm.
Preview
Liverpool will be looking to make amends after loosening their grip on a top four spot by drawing with Southampton at Anfield. Their fate still remains in their own hands, however, and only dropped points would allow Arsenal to sneak into the Champions League places.
West Ham, despite a difficult season, proved how dangerous they can be by crushing Tottenham’s title hopes in the last round of fixtures, and will be encouraged by Liverpool’s poor form against opponents in the bottom half of the table.
Speculation surrounding the future of Hammers manager Slaven Bilic will not let up, and although his team have little to play for in terms of their league position, the Croat will be conscious that a poor end to the season could influence the opinions of Davids Gold and Sullivan, the club’s co-owners, over his situation.
Cheikhou Kouyate, who has been one of West Ham’s top performers this season, sustained a wrist injury against Tottenham which has ended his season. Edimilson Fernandes is likely to start in midfield in his absence, while Arthur Masuaku is in contention to return from injury and former Liverpool man Andy Carroll is expected to be fit to start. Klopp confirmed in his press conference that Roberto Firmino and Lucas Leiva have sustained minor injuries and will face late fitness tests ahead of the trip to London.
It’s a big game for…
Divock Origi: With Firmino reportedly out injured and Daniel Sturridge simply not in consideration to start under Klopp, Origi will need to have a better game than he did in his last outing.
He looked isolated and struggled to impose himself in Liverpool’s draw with Southampton, and if they are to finish in the Champions League places, they will need him to contribute with goals.
Best stat…
The last three meetings between West Ham and Liverpool have been draws (Two of these were in the FA Cup, with Liverpool winning the replay after extra time).
Remember when…
Steven Gerrard clinched a late winner as Liverpool beat West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final.
Player to watch
Andy Carroll: Carroll is likely to return from injury against his former club, which gives him added incentive to make an impression. The striker failed to deal with the pressure of his £35m price tag at Liverpool but has flourished when fit at his current club.
Liverpool are not exactly sound defensively, and if Carroll plays, he is bound to cause them problems.
Past three meetings
Liverpool 2 West Ham 2
Premier League, December 2016
West Ham 2 Liverpool 1 aet
FA Cup, February 2016
Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
FA Cup, January 2016
Form
West Ham: WDDDW
Liverpool: WWWWD
Odds
West Ham to win: 25/10
Liverpool to win: 17/25
Draw: 3/1
38 MINS
Origi looks for a way through, but Reid takes no chances and heads the ball out for a corner kick.
41 MINS
Matip skims the roof of the net with a headed effort following another Liverpool corner kick. The Hammers are using the zonal marking method and it is just not working - they need to tighten up.
44 MINS
Ayew misses a golden opportunity for The Hammers - he should have levelled the scoring there. The corner drops to him at the back post, he is left with the ball at his feet and an open goal in front of him, but he only manages to hit the post from two-yards out. It rebounds back to him, but yet again he can only manage to rattle woodwork. What a chance!
HALF TIME
WEST HAM 0 - 1 LIVERPOOL
The Hammers enter the interval chasing a one goal deficit, following the opener from Sturridge. Coutinho put the striker through with a clever delivery, he skipped past the keeper and slotted it home. Ayew missed a golden chance for Bilic's men - failing to find the net from two yards out. The visitors have been the better of the two sides from the off, but it is far from over here at the London Stadium.
47 MINS
The visitors look to double their tally immediately, with Origi's powerful strike from the edge of the area just about saved by Adrian.
50 MINS
Yellow card: Fernandes picks up a booking for a late challenge on Coutinho.
52 MINS
Sturridge threats a delicate ball through to Origi, but he has no options inside of the box so he has to try and pull it back to the edge of the area. The pass is intercepted and The Hammers regain possession.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments