Liverpool are eager to welcome striker Daniel Sturridge back on the pitch after a five-month injury layoff when they host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday. The England international has not played since August due to a series of injuries. He has scored 21 Premier League goals last season and in his absence Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert have bagged just three league goals between them while £16m signing Mario Balotelli has failed to score in 12 league appearances.
Liverpool are unbeaten in the last six league matches and find themselves six points off the Champions League places. They have suffered a disappointment this week though as Chelsea knocked them out in the Capital One Cup semi finals. The match stretched into extra time, so maybe some of the players might feel the fatigue, especially veteran captain Steven Gerrard. Kolo Toure is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, so Dejan Lovren might get a starting place in defence.
West Ham are also in contention for an European place, they are above the Reds in the Premier League table. Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing, both former Liverpool players, will have a point to prove when they return to Anfield. Cheikhou Kouyate is at the Africa Cup while defenders Joey O'Brien and James Collins are in doubt for West Ham. The Hammers have not beaten Liverpool in any of their last 13 meetings at Anfield, but they did win 3-1 against the Reds at Upton Park this season.
Probable line-ups:
Liverpool: Mignolet - Can, Skrtel, Sakho - Markovic, Henderson, Lucas, Moreno - Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling
West Ham: Adrian - Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell - Song, Nolan, Noble - Downing; Carroll, Sakho
My prediction: 2-2 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Liverpool win - 4/6 Draw - 3/1 West Ham win - 19/4
timidi 9 years ago
Liverpool is back on track. I think that this win can be more than just a three points for Liverpool. This can be wind in their back to reach champions league. From now they will have one more option in attack with Daniel Sturidge, Rahim Sterling play good and they also have great and experienced player Lambert. I think...
Liverpool is back on track. I think that this win can be more than just a three points for Liverpool. This can be wind in their back to reach champions league. From now they will have one more option in attack with Daniel Sturidge, Rahim Sterling play good and they also have great and experienced player Lambert. I think that Liverpool just need to continue to play like this and they will have champions league.
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zebrazebr
9 years ago
Can Liverpool reach a Champions League spot by the end of year? Maybe yes. After a bad season start they propably find themselves and ther best game. They are in the best form now between the clubs. They bear West Ham today, Aston Villa away, Sunderland away(!)and they beat Swansea at home. I these 4 matches they shot...
Can Liverpool reach a Champions League spot by the end of year? Maybe yes. After a bad season start they propably find themselves and ther best game. They are in the best form now between the clubs. They bear West Ham today, Aston Villa away, Sunderland away(!)and they beat Swansea at home. I these 4 matches they shot 9 goals and only 1 conceded. But the real test of strenght is coming next week. They visit Everton. I hope they will keep that form and reach a Champions League position by the end of year. CL needs a good Liverpool
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seculla
9 years ago
What a player is Daniel Sturridge. After long time he is in the game and after 12 minutes he score. He can make difference in Liverpool in these games until the end of the season, and he can make Liverpool better team and definitely will fight for those places on the table which are taking clubs in European competitions...
What a player is Daniel Sturridge. After long time he is in the game and after 12 minutes he score. He can make difference in Liverpool in these games until the end of the season, and he can make Liverpool better team and definitely will fight for those places on the table which are taking clubs in European competitions for next season.
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sharpe
9 years ago
The returning of Daniel Sturridge who have the great last season is very important for Liverpool because their forwards was not at the expected level so far. In some game they created enough chances but not be able to capitalize them. I think Liverpool is favourite and will win that one.
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kkole 9 years ago
When I read that play Liverpool agains West Ham I have only one thing at my mind - a lot of goals. I think that this will be open match with a lot of goals. Both teams are good in attack and goals are sure thing. And in this kind of match Liverpool must win if they count on that fourth place and champions league next season....
When I read that play Liverpool agains West Ham I have only one thing at my mind - a lot of goals. I think that this will be open match with a lot of goals. Both teams are good in attack and goals are sure thing. And in this kind of match Liverpool must win if they count on that fourth place and champions league next season. West Ham is not in that great form like they were few months ago but they are still very very dangerous opponent. I predict that Liverpool will win here, 3-2.
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