The Hammers have been in magnificent form in recent weeks, emerging from a horrible four fixture run against Leicester, Wolves, Tottenham and Manchester City with two wins and two draws.
Liverpool have shown signs of clicking into gear after an iffy start to the season, winning their last three games in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over Midtjylland in the Champions League in midweek.
Antonio’s absence is a big blow for the Hammers, particularly given Liverpool’s weakened backline.
Jurgen Klopp had the luxury of resting his front three from the start in midweek and the Reds should have the firepower to end West Ham’s unbeaten run.
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool are without Fabinho because of a hamstring problem, so 19-year-old center-back Rhys Williams could make his Premier League debut.
The Reds will monitor the fitness of Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita, who are nearing returns, while this game may come too soon for Joel Matip.
Michail Antonio is absent for West Ham but boss David Moyes does not think the player’s hamstring injury is “too bad”.
The striker could be replaced by Sebastien Haller at Anfield.
Deadline-day signing Said Benrahma awaits his Hammers debut, having not been involved against Manchester City last weekend because of a lack of match fitness.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Liverpool are unbeaten in eight Premier League games against West Ham since losing both meetings in 2015-16 (W6, D2).
- The Hammers won 3-0 at Anfield in August 2015 but that is their only victory in their past 47 league games away to the Reds.
- Liverpool vs Sheffield United: Team news, match facts and prediction
- Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Team news, match facts and prediction
- Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara tests positive for COVID-19
- Chelsea boss Lampard backed to make bold choice vs Liverpool
Liverpool
- Jurgen Klopp’s side have won 28 of their past 29 top-flight matches at Anfield.
- If the Reds avoid defeat they will equal the club record of 63 home league games unbeaten.
- The only club in the top four English divisions to have enjoyed a longer undefeated streak on home turf is Chelsea (86 league matches between 2004 and 2008).
- Sadio Mane is set to make his 200th Premier League appearance.
- Mane has scored in each of his last four games against West Ham, and has five goals and three assists in six Premier League matches for Liverpool versus the Hammers.
- Mohamed Salah has six goals and two assists in his six top-flight games against West Ham.
West Ham United
- The Hammers have lost 21 of their 24 Premier League games away to the reigning champions, with their only victory coming courtesy of Jermain Defoe’s strike against Manchester United in 2001.
- West Ham are unbeaten in four top-flight matches, with all of those games coming against opponents who finished in the top seven last season.
- Their only defeat in six Premier League away games was last month’s 2-1 loss at Arsenal.
PREDICTION: 2-0
