Pre-match : West Ham v Liverpool (19th Sept 17:30UK)

And we resume with the EPL coming this Saturday, against West Ham away at Upton Park.

We have now conjured 3 wins out of 3, first against Bolton, followed by Burnley and then Debrecen yesterday. It, probably, got ourselves back on the right track after a somewhat inconsistent and shaky start to the season. Wins against these teams ensured we kept the pace, not falling behind too early in the title race as well as got off to a  perfect start in the UCL.

Same XI, 2 very constrasting performances against Burnley and Debrecen. The team that ripped Burnley apart passed with such masterclass, upped their game and tempo just after 20 minutes and tore through the centre of Burnley's defence. While, on the other hand, the same XI failed to perform up to their expectations last night, misplaced passes, mistimed tackles and not really imposing ourselves on the game.

Would we start with the same XI for this game, or since Mascherano is fit could we partner him with Leiva in midfield, play Gerrard off Torres, Kuyt and Yossi on the right and left respectively? What do you think? Personally I'll have Mascherano back in the side and replace Riera, who has been blowing hot and cold. This, though, would be the main talking point in the build-up to the game.

West Ham pose a threat against us, its a very important game, last season we did them 3-0 in this corresponding fixture but we scored in the first minute to get the pressure off  our backs. It is imperative we continue our winning run for this game, they've got a young but very decent side, Noble is maturing into a very fine player and we've got to be wary.

Nevertheless, I expect the Reds to fully pick up 3 points, its the risk we have to go through if we want to ensure we are champions at end of the season. Think this is going to be a very tight fixture for me.

COME ON YOU REDS!

I would also get Masch back in the side with Lucas in the middle and play Gerrard with Torres as you suggest. Harsh on Riera as I think he has played well the last 2 games and he offers soemthing different to Kuyt & Yossi. The rest picks itself.

Babel, Riera, Aurelio have to be on the bench though. This will not be an easy game but we have to be positive and attack for the win.

Upton Park is never as easy place to play, not even for a big 4 team.

Since we are away, I think I'd like Masch to partner Lucas and have Stevie in the hole behind Nando. I want to see this formation tested again. Probably Kuyt on the right and Yossi on the left. Harsh on Riera cause I don't think he did that badly last night but I can't see Yossi or Kuyt being dropped for him.

Difficult but I have faith in the lads to bring home 3 points. I'm going for a 2-0 win to the Reds, just like in my prediction league

Upton Park is never as easy place to play, not even for a big 4 team.

Since we are away, I think I'd like Masch to partner Lucas and have Stevie in the hole behind Nando. I want to see this formation tested again. Probably Kuyt on the right and Yossi on the left. Harsh on Riera cause I don't think he did that badly last night but I can't see Yossi or Kuyt being dropped for him.

Thats pretty much as I see the starting line up, I think it will be another tight one with us taking the 3 points by a single goal.

This in my opinion is our first must win game of the season. I am well aware regardless of the result that nothing is decided this early, but we need to win this game in order to pick up some momentum and away form ahead of an important match with Chelsea in a few weeks time.

I would like to see Masch  back in the side but not at the expense of Lucas though, as stated would like to see Gerrard behind Torres and Benayoun on the left.

I feel Benayoun is a must for two reasons. One, he's on great form and two, it's against his former club - he should be well up for it.

I'd go with:

                      Reina

Johnson - Carragher - Skrtel - Insua

            Mascherano - Lucas

        Kuyt - Gerrard - Benayoun
                 
                     Torres

In my crazy little mind Id love to think we could leave Torres and Stevie out with there form not being great and play someone like Babel up front and for him to win the game for us

In reality probable only changes could see Masch for Riera and Aurelio for Insua. We've done ok down there but it can be a tough place to go. So 3 points is all Im worried about not who starts or how we play

                 Reina

Johnson Carra  Skrtel  Aurelio
           
            Masch Lucas

 Benayoun Gerrard    Riera
               
                 Kuyt

In my opinion i'll prefer to see gerrard and mash in the middle because westham is a physical game, they get parker he is very physical. Lucas dont normally do well in physical games especially when it's away to average teams.

This is going to be a very difficult game we really need to improve from last night If we are to get three points.

V

       




Barclays Premier League match

 1  Chelsea   15 pts
2  Man Utd  12 pts
3  Manchester City 12  pts
4  Tottenham  12 pts
5  Liverpool   9 pts
6  Aston Villa  9 pts
7  Sunderland 9 pts
8  Stoke City   7 pts
9  Arsenal   6 pts
10  Fulham   6 pts
11  Wigan Athletic  6 pts
12  Burnley   6 pts
13  West Ham Utd   4 pts
14  Blackburn   4 pts
15  Birmingham  4 pts
16  Wolves  4 pts
17  Hull City   4 pts
18  Bolton  3 pts
19  Everton   3 pts
20  Portsmouth  0 pts


Previous last 5 meetings

West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool (08/09)

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United (08/09)

Liverpool 4-0 West Ham United (07/09)

West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool (07/08)

West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool (06/07)

Gonna be a tough match...come on you reds  

West Ham are those type of teams capable of causing an upset. The lads need to be on their toes if they want to get the 3 points.

I agree with you Ad. We need an almost perfect match. There's no margin for error now we are playing catch up to chelsea, we need to get wins in a row before we play them. We ll going to stamford bridge and it's going to be a tricky fixture i can't see them dropping points before that match, so if we don't have a perfect record going to the bridge we might find ourselves 9 points or more behind them and having to play them at the bridge it'll make it more harder. We have 2 win westham at any cost.

         

Are they giants, then, or are we midgets?

Couldn't get a bigger size for liverpool...but remember west ham were sponsored by XL

                      Reina

Johnson - Carragher - Skrtel - Aurelio

            Mascherano - Lucas

        Kuyt - Gerrard - Benayoun
                  
                     Torres

perhaps with three wins under our belt we can get the momento going. torres is due to break out of his scoring drought. if you look at the opta stats  re sky sports we are starting to show some good stats in passing think we are turning the corner

perhaps with three wins under our belt we can get the momento going. torres is due to break out of his scoring drought. if you look at the opta stats  re sky sports we are starting to show some good stats in passing think we are turning the corner

What scoring drought?  He's only not scored in the last league game (plus the champions league). I remember last season he didn't score for 6 games or something and apparently, that's his longest run without a goal.

I'll be doing a raindance hoping Torres gets at least one goal.  Our lad needs to get in a good goal scoring mode.  Come on Torres!

I'm heading to a best friend's wedding up in Boston tomorrow (from Washington DC.)  The match is on at the same day/time as the wedding.  I'll be wearing my lucky jersey under my suit getting live updates on my Blackberry.  So mad I won't get to see it live 

That new fella looked pretty good last week in his debut for West Ham, forget his name. Nearly scored some stunners but hit the post.

Mark Noble and Carlton Cole hold the key to success for them. Hopefully we can get on top and get the win.

We need to step it up, we arent guaranteed 3 points anywhere and we really need to work hard at this one. Mascherano should be back in the squad and I expect a very unpretty game but we need to work hard here

Dunno if id start Aurelio yet. Would probably be too tough a match too soon for him. Also hoping Agger can make the bench.
Can see us winning 2-0 with Torres getting a brace.

I think Rafa will stick with the line-up that played Debrecen.

Wouldn't mind partnering Stevie up with Masch in the middle though with Kuyt on the right and Yossi in the hole, can keep Riera on the left then.

My team would be thus....

                       
                           Reina

Johnson         Carra          Skrtel            Insua


                  Gerrard           Masch

Kuyt                                                    Riera
                       Yossi

                                   Nando