Here we go. With West ham in disarray since the New Year, our top striker scoring minus points for loyalty and our defence suddenly leaking goals by the bucketload, all we need is a red hot title chasing Liverpool side arriving at the London Stadium!
Messrs Salah, Mane and Firmino ripped West Ham apart on the first day of the season dishing out a 4-0 thumping and will undoubtedly be relishing the prospect of carving the Hammers apart over the wide open spaces of the London Stadium. Even better, Manuel Pellegrini doesn't believe in trying to park the bus so we can expect a toe to toe encounter. The problem is that the Reds have massive punching power up top while we lack a happy striker right now.
The bookies have made their views very clear with the Hammers at 7-1 against for a win, despite being the home side. Even a draw is 4-1 against!!! 'Reliable' inside sources suggest that Arnautovic is 25% likely to have recovered from the bruised foot that threatens his participation, but in all honesty the recent Marko has been a pale shadow of the Pre-Christmas version who was happy to laed the line with passion and guile.
Otherwise, the good news is that Aaron Cresswell looks likely to recover in time to replace the hapless Arthur Masuaku. Tragically for Liverpool, Dejan Lovren is likely to miss out, but that may be a blessing in disguise.
That said, its under the lights and we can expect a backlash from a Hammers side who were heavily criticised by Manuel Pellegrini after their dreadful performance away to Wolves last Tuesday. Remarkably, we managed to play even worse than we had in conceding 4 goals to Wimbledon who are bottom of League One just 9 days ago.
Let's hope that we can come out like a wounded animal and surprise Liverpool with our intensity. Declan Rice will surely welcome the chance to take on Jordan Henderson and Co., while Felipe Anderson is always capable of producing a moment of genius. failing that, Big Andy still has unfinished business with his former employer and is starting to get back to something like proper fitness.
All in all, it's a David vs Goliath situation, but as all Hammers know, when you write us off we are at our most dangerous! Are you listening Mr CyKlopps?
COYI!!!
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