West Ham vs Liverpool live: What time is it, where can I watch it, team news, odds, preview
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Your support makes all the difference.West Ham host Liverpool on Saturday afternoon needing a big result to lift them out of the bottom quarter of the Premier League table.
The hosts come into the game having endured a hugely frustrating week. Although they were seconds from victory at bottom-placed Crystal Palace last weekend, a lapse in concentration in the 96th minute ensured the Eagles were able to equalise, leaving Slaven Bilic’s side with only a single point. They sit 16th the table.
With a positive result on Saturday now even more of a necessity, the Hammers can at least take heart from their stunning 3-2 comeback victory against Spurs in the Carabao Cup last week. Bilic will be hopeful of a similarly determined performance here against the Reds, though his side have been wildly inconsistent at home so far this term.
In the Liverpool camp, spirits will be high following two consecutive 3-0 home wins: against Huddersfield in the League last weekend and Maribor in the Champions League in midweek.
Although the last away fixture for the Reds ended in a 4-1 collapse away at Spurs, boss Jurgen Klopp will be expecting a far more stable performance here, knowing that three points will keep his team in contention for the top-four places.
The Merseyside club, though, like their hosts, will have to make do with a weakened squad. Whilst they are still without Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, Georginio Wijnaldum is also a doubt in midfield. For the Hammers, Jose Fonte, Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio are all out after sustaining injuries at Selhurst Park.
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What times does it start?
West Ham vs Liverpool kicks off at 17:30.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 17:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:30 on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Andy Carroll. Don’t be surprised if Slaven Bilic starts the big striker to ruffle some feathers amongst a Liverpool defence that has been fragile in recent weeks. Carroll would love to open his goalscoring account for the season with one against his former employers.
Best stat…
None of the last 12 Premier League meetings between these sides at West Ham have ended as a draw – West Ham have won four and Liverpool eight since a 1-1 draw in December 2001.
Remember when…
One of the most iconic FA Cup goals when these two sides met in the 2005 final: Gerrard's 35 yard volley.
Player to watch out for…
Daniel Sturridge. With two in two since returning from injury, the forward is beginning to show some signs of form and he would love a third goal here to secure a regular starting place under Klopp. The stats seem to be on his side, at least, the 28 year-old has scored five goals in seven Premier League appearances against the Hammers.
Previous three meetings…
West Ham 0 Liverpool 4 (Sturridge, Coutinho x2, Origi), Premier League, May 2017
Liverpool 2 (Lallana, Origi) West Ham 2 (Payet, Antonio), Premier League, December 2016
West Ham 2 (Antonio, Ogbonna) Liverpool 1 (Coutinho), FA Cup, February 2016
Form guide…
West Ham: LWDLWD
Liverpool: DDWLWW
Odds…
West Ham: 22/5
Liverpool: 11/18
Draw: 16/5
Post-match reaction from Jurgen Klopp
"The result, it feels good. We changed our approach, it was a counter-attacking line-up to use our speed from a deep situation.
"Our counter-attacking was pretty perfect, we had some wonderful play. Roberto Firmino, I'm not sure I've ever seen a player play a third game in the week with such intensity and I'm a few years in this business.
"3-0, 3-0, 4-1, it's a really good week. It's a good moment to have a little break. We lost our skipper overnight and Gini Wijnaldum did not have his boots here.
"We thought he had no chance of playing, we only brought him here so he is nearer to Amsterdam, he was flying there to see the doctor.
"And he played 90 minutes. Sadio Mane is a naturally fit player, he could have played the 90 minutes after just one training session."
Quotes from BBC
Post-match reaction from Slaven Bilic
On the manner of the defeat: "To be fair we started well. We were in good shape behind the ball, which was exactly what we wanted.
"We were covering the space behind us really well but they are really good with the pace of Mane and Salah. We conceded two cheap goals and then we tried to come back in the second half.
"We took a risk and came back with a goal but we conceded straight away. We knew they have that kind of pace on counter-attacks. It's a big defeat for us."
On why they conceded two sloppy goals early on: "It's nothing to do with lack of effort. The first goal is a counter-attack. Our one player in front of the box didn't react well and then it was hard to defend the counter-attack. That's no excuse to concede a goal from our corner kick though. The second goal was a lapse of concentration. At this level when you concede two early goals against a side like that, it's difficult to come back."
On his future at the club: "I have to talk to the chairman and of course we're going to discuss this defeat. It's a very difficult situation.
"I always believe in myself, I wouldn't be here otherwise."
Quotes from BT Sport
Thanks for tuning into our live coverage of today's matches in the Premier League. Join us again tomorrow as Tottenham host Crystal Palace before Manchester City face Arsenal and Manchester United go to Chelsea.
Goodnight!
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