Cat and Mouse as Liverpool await Hammers

Tonight's Carabou cup quarter final clash is truly intriguing as Liverpool and West ham seek a semi-final spot whilst both are looking towards huge games at the weekend.

Liverpool will face Arsenal in their ost important Premirship game so far this season but will be needing to be careful in team selection against a tricky Hammers side who taught Arsenal a lesson when the Gooners arrived with a less than full strength side in the last round.

However, David Moyes will want to keep as much back as possible for the visit of Man Utd on Saturday as ultimately those two sides look very likely to be in a dogfight for the 6th place spot when the seasons reaches its climax.

All of which makes for much speculation about the potential starting XIs for tonight. West ham have an abysmal record at Anfield but never the less pine for domestic cup success. 

Speaking with a Liverpool supporting friend i told him that Moyes intentions will be clear once we know if he is starting Zouma, Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus. If all four start then he means proper business. 

However, a big criticism of Moyes is his stubborn tactic of playing negatively against the top six - usually with disappointing results! If this Liverpool side has an achilles heal it is defensively. As such, it makes sense to play with an aggressive stance. 

One big positive is that whatever happens there will be no extra time as it is straight to penalties if the sides are level at full time. 

The worst case scenario for Moyes would be to field his strongest starting XI and lose on penalties.

The lineups ill be announced shortly.

COYI!!!