West Ham v Liverpool, pre-match thread

vs

For viewers in the UK, the game will be live on Sky Sports 1. Kick off: 27 Feb 2011 13:30

Liverpool are back in Barclays Premier League action when they travel to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds boast a good recent record at Upton Park and in last season's corresponding fixture they ran out 3-2 winners.
Earlier this season, Liverpool beat the Hammers 3-0 at Anfield in November.


Hopefully we can welcome back Stevie and Suarez to the team, with Kelly and Agger maybe returning from knocks and can welcome back Johnson to the team, I would go with

                                    Reina
                   Carra          Srktel               Agger
Kelly                                                                     Johnson
                                    Lucas
                   Stevie                             Meireles
                                   Suarez
                                    Kuyt

How do we know Agger, Kelly and Gerrard will make it for Sunday?

Hopefully we can welcome back Stevie and Suarez to the team, with Kelly, Agger and Agger all returning from knocks and can welcome back Johnson to the team

what would you go with?

                          Renia
             Carragher  Skrtel  Soto
Johnson                                   Wilson
                    Lucas  Meireles
                          Cole
                     Kuyt  Suarez

what would you go with?

I would love if we had two Aggers. When one is injured the other can play, when they're both fit no one would ever score against us!

Love that agger and agger.

                 Reina
     Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson
                Lucas
             Raul  Gerrard
       Kuyt  Suarez  Maxi

Subs: Jones, Aurelio, Cole, Spearing, Wilson, Jova, Carroll (Just to put the frighteners on them )

Thought I'd best post this in here in case anyone's going and don't know.

Notice for fans going to West Ham
25th Feb 2011 - Latest News

The London Borough of Newham has recently introduced a DPPO (Designated Public Place Order) for the whole of the borough, including all roads leading to West Ham United's stadium.

The order prevents members of the public from drinking in any public place and allows police officers, police community support officers and council enforcement officers to seize alcohol from anyone found drinking in or intending to drink in a public place. 

The DPPO will be enforced by the Metropolitan Police who also have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for repeat or persistent offenders.

I would love if we had two Aggers. When one is injured the other can play, when they're both fit no one would ever score against us!

Love that agger and agger.

We can live in hope eh?

Big banana skin this. Would gladly take a 94th minute in off there defenders arse from his keepers clearence 1 nil here no question

Not arsed who plays so long as David N'Onside is not up front and Santas helper at Christmas Poulsen isnt even in London

For me....if everyone fit...

                                  Reina

Kelly            Carra                        Agger        Johnson

                                  Lucas

                  Gerrard                     Meireles

              Cole                                    Suarez
                                   Kuyt             

                                    Reina

Kelly           Sotis            Carra              Agger              Johnson

                Gerrard           Lucas             Meireles

                                Suarez

                                          Kuyt

That's again if everyone is fit. If Kelly isn't then move Johnson to the right and slot Wilson in on the left. If Agger isn't then put Wilson in as a straight swap. If no Gerrard then put Joe Cole in for him.

is there any chance of Carroll playing at all, maybe the last 10-20min?

is there any chance of Carroll playing at all, maybe the last 10-20min?

I wouldn't risk him to be honest, patience. I'd rather have him for 60 vs United than 10 vs West Ham

I have a feling Stevie will return but we will be without Dagger. I'd go with:

                         Reina

             Carragher Skrtel Krygiakos
 Kelly                                           Johnson

                    Lucas
           Gerrard        Meireles

             Kuyt      Suarez

3 centre backs i think is necessary without Dagger.

Will be a very tough game. Space is hard to find in Upton Park.

I'll say 2-1. Gerrard and Suarez
 

West Ham are playing much better now, I'd say Demba Ba is the player to watch out for, and also of course Scotty Parker.

Defo going to be a tough game, but it should be somewhat enjoyable.

West Ham are known for good football, we like to keep it on the floor.

Going to be very interesting, but I do not think we should presume a win. If we do not improve upon the Wigan game then we definitely wont win.

Hope Gerrard comes back into midfield and Raul continues his goal scoring run.

sky sports are are advertising the match as been played at anfield?that"s embarrassing for them.

We have to go to London and bring all three points home.

Home the players who had knocks yesterday are able to play and also those who sat out.
If all are able.

                                      Reina

              Carragher           Skrtel             Agger

Kelly                                                                  Johnson

                                      Lucas

                Gerrard                                Meireles

                              Suarez

                                         Kuyt

If everyone's fit:

                                         Reina

Kelly              Skrtel           Carragher          Wilson            Johnson

                                        Lucas

                    Gerrard                         Meireles

                                        Cole

                                       Suarez

Let Cole see what he can do, if nothing's working then get Kuyt on for Cole. Have Johnson and Kelly pound them on the wings. Let's hammer these b*stards

 

We can have these! They are going to be a darn sight more worried about playing us now than when they last did!

If we keep a clean sheet then I think we will win it. West ham will always leak a goal or two.

Don't think Kelly or Dagger will make it.

Ba will offer a threat in the air so I'd chuck Sotis in there.

              Pepe
       Carra Sotis Skrtel
Johnson                Wilson
      Stevie    Lucas
              Raul
    Kuyt        Suarez

We should boss this midfield. Can see Luis getting a brace at least. Need a nice solid performance to build confidence before next weekend.

                             Reina

Kelly            Carra          Agger (Skrtel)    Johnson (Wilson)

                            Lucas

            Meireles              Gerrard   

                         Cole
            Suarez            Kuyt 

Skrtel in for Agger and Wilson in for Kelly if they arn't passed fit, with Johnson reverting to Right back.

Should be a easy game (but I thought that against Sparta!) with Suarez and Gerrard back. 2-0 to us with Suarez grabbing at least one of them.

                             Reina

Kelly            Carra          Agger (Skrtel)    Johnson (Wilson)

                            Lucas

            Meireles              Gerrard   

                         Cole
            Suarez            Kuyt 

Skrtel in for Agger and Wilson in for Kelly if they arn't passed fit, with Johnson reverting to Right back.

Should be a easy game (but I thought that against Sparta!) with Suarez and Gerrard back. 2-0 to us with Suarez grabbing at least one of them.

I think without Agger we would get eaten in defense without 3 centre halfs.. especially with the amount of attacking players you have out.. Drop either Cole or Kuyt.

I vote keep Cole.

I think without Agger we would get eaten in defense without 3 centre halfs.. especially with the amount of attacking players you have out.. Drop either Cole or Kuyt.

I vote keep Cole.

With the exception of Kelly in the 1st half Kuyt was our best player on Thursday!

                           Reina

Kelly              Skrtel           Carragher          Wilson            Johnson

                                        Lucas

                    Gerrard                         Meireles

                                        Cole

                                       Suarez
This team should get a win.

Can't pick a team for this - looking at the injury tracker, we have quite a few players doubtful: Kelly, Aurelio, Johnson, Agger and Gerrard, time will tell who is able to play.  Whatever the team, take the game to them, get the ball to Suarez and watch the net ripple.

I don't care who gets selected, I want to see hunger, determination and Liverpool FC with three points more in the table.

Get at them from the first min, there defence is shocking!

Been looking at West Ham and I think this could have a banana skin game here. We all expect to win this but I feel West Ham could pull a shock. They are bottom but they have decent players in their team who can be a big threat.

We have a lot of injuries which could be the difference between winning and losing this game. If all Gerrard, Agger, Kelly, Carroll are not in the team then I feel this match could go either way, I'd imagine that Kelly and Gerrard will be fit while Agger and Carroll will miss out.

I am also concerned that West Ham will work harder then us simply because they are bottom of the table and they need to fight for every point, also didn't help our cause that we had a tough game on Thursday against Sparta which will impact on some players for Sunday.

I think we will need to drop the players who were very tired or were shockingly poor on Thursday, so Poulson, N'gog and Cole would be dropped IMO. While we hopefully welcome Johnson, Gerrard, Kelly and Suarez into the side. I'd guess Carroll and Agger won't make it for Sunday.

West Ham are 20th but they will be no mugs, they have got a few quality players like Parker and Ba who can win the match for them. If Wolves can beat United then West Ham can beat us. West Ham are in good goal scoring form recently, they got 5 in the fa cup and 3 against West Brom in that epic 3-3 draw. If we can stop them from scoring, then I'm pretty confident we can get a goal or two because there defense is awful. I expect West Ham to play a tight match and try to nick a goal. I don't believe that style suits them, and it hasn't so far this season.

The key to winning this will be our defense, if we keep a clean sheet then I think we'll win. If we're without our big names due to injury then I see this being a very hard match for us.

I'm guessing a 2-0 win for the mighty Liverpool  

Win this and we can really go for it until the end of the season its a massive game IMHO. But  we seem so strong now that if the game dictates it we can just grind out a 1-0 win in the 90th min.Love to see Carrol just for 15 mins at the end.

Could be a tough game this, but I still think we'll bring home the points.

They are all massive games from now till the end of the season if we are to finish top 4 or 5.

Win this and we can really go for it until the end of the season its a massive game IMHO. But  we seem so strong now that if the game dictates it we can just grind out a 1-0 win in the 90th min.Love to see Carrol just for 15 mins at the end.

Carroll isn't in the match squad.

Keep the traction going and get the three points.

I just hope that we get the three points , Come on Liverpool let's win this..

Chin up lads and lasses we have to be positive ,otherwise it could cause bad karma.

Raul for the winner anybody 

Good luck for tomorrow 
Honestly, I think that Liverpool can finish at the 3/4rd place in the end of season.. So bring 3 points from London !

suarez ,miereles, kuyt,all capable of scoring ,i think if poulsen is playing forget about it.

West Ham are rooted at the bottom of the table and they're bound to concede goals. Let's hope our players put on their shooting boots in 13 hours time.

Win and we're 3 points behind Chelsea!

If everybody is fit i'd say :
                              Reina
                      Carra Agger Skrtel
               Kelly                        Johnson
                       Gerrard Merieles
                Kuyt                      Cole
                            Suarez

  YNWA

If everybody is fit I'd say :
                              Reina
                      Carra Agger Skrtel
               Kelly                        Johnson
                       Gerrard Merieles
                Kuyt                      Cole
                            Suarez

  YNWA

I don"t think agger will make it or gerrard more like sotis and spearing instead.

At least we know Agger got injured from a knock. I think he got tangled with someone when chasing the ball and not a pulled whatever or his back again.

i see this as a draw 1-1 we have a weakened squad plus that sparta game was tiring for some players. west ham have some good scorers and have pace. there goalie is sharp as well. they are playing to win every time, and they are no pushover. have seen them on footytube many times,there defence is weak.but they need 3 points to get out the bottom three.

I don"t think agger will make it or gerrard more like sotis and spearing instead.

ye soto and spearing will be good enough replacements for them i reckon .

I just want to see some good pace and quick decision making.  Lets attack the Hammers so they don't know what hit them.

Bring it on!

WTF?! No broadcast here in India of the match.

Anyway, won't be a walkthrough, but I still expect us to get 3 points. Kuyt and Suarez's chemistry should work like it did last time.

WTF?! No broadcast here in India of the match.

Thanx to f***in Cricket WC.

If everybody is fit i'd say :
                              Reina
                      Carra Agger Skrtel
               Kelly                        Johnson
                       Gerrard Merieles
                Kuyt                      Cole
                            Suarez

  YNWA

Hard to believe that Lucas won't be on the pitch.

WTF?! No broadcast here in India of the match.

Anyway, won't be a walkthrough, but I still expect us to get 3 points. Kuyt and Suarez's chemistry should work like it did last time.

They are showing the deferred live on tuesday, 10 A.M (ESPN). But, the streams that people put on the streams thread (on this forum) are really good. So, watching the game live today should not be a problem!

Got a bad feeling about this game,avram grant has a good record against us.remeber portsmouth.

Lets hope all goes well and Chelsea draws with United.

I don't want either to take all the 3 points.

Not arsed who plays so long as David N'Onside is not up front and Santas helper at Christmas Poulsen isnt even in London

Agree with you totally there Bri, neither of them are doing anything special, much as I will never berate a player, the pair of them just have'nt 'got it'.

Can see us winning this one but won't be a walk in the park.
Anyone know if Steve back today.

             Reina
    
      Carra Soto Skrtel
Kelly                       Johnson

         Lucas  Meireles

        Kuyt           Cole

              Suarez

Don't think the hammers will pose too much of a threat. 3-0(Suarez, Raul, Cole). Looking
forward to seeing Suarez playing again.

'kin hell...4 and a bit hours to go and only 53 posts.

Looking forward to this game. Will get home from work just with enough to roll a nice one, spit back and watch the lads come out to play. I always feel good about playing West Ham. Don't know why but I reckon we have the wood on them. Let's hope it continues tonight and we can go and get a big, fat, juicy 3 points to bring back home.

Hope Suarez gets on the scoresheet again and I just have a feeling Joe Cole might get one against his old team tonight. 2-0 away win for me. Come on you Reds.

Come on you reds

Thanx to f***in Cricket WC.

Yeah man, showing the same match on 3 different sports channels.

             Reina
     
      Carra Soto Skrtel
Kelly                       Johnson

         Lucas  Meireles

        Kuyt           Cole

              Suarez

Don't think the hammers will pose too much of a threat. 3-0(Suarez, Raul, Cole). Looking
forward to seeing Suarez playing again.

kelly & johnson both doubts mate.

kelly & johnson both doubts mate.

Thought Johnson was fully fit.

hmmmm confused now. sky says .......

West Ham will continue their increasingly anxious fight against Premier League relegation when they host a Liverpool side which could feature Steven Gerrard.

Avram Grant's side have spent almost the entire season in the drop zone, but are still only eight points adrift of 10th-placed Stoke.

The fact that safety has remained tantalisingly within reach therefore provides reason for West Ham to be optimistic, but also frustrated that they have been unable to find any form of consistency.

Liverpool's season has been equally confusing as in the first half of the campaign they produced dreadfully uninspiring form for Roy Hodgson,but they have now gone eight games in all competitions without defeat under Kenny Dalglish.
That form has propelled the Anfield club into the top six and they are just eight points adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth place and crucially occupy the last UEFA Champions League position.

Liverpool, who defeated Sparta Prague on Thursday night to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, have refused to get carried away by talk of the top four, but there cause could be boosted by the return of captain Gerrard from his groin injury.

Injury news

The England international has missed the last three games and watched the win over Sparta from the stands, but is expected to feature at Upton Park.

There is less positive injury news for West Ham as they will again be without Matthew Upson due to an Achilles injury.

On-loan striker Robbie Keane, who spent an unhappy 18 months with Liverpool earlier in his career, will not face his former club as he remains absent with a calf strain.

German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is expected to make his Premier League debut for West Ham after overcoming injury to feature in Monday's FA Cup demolition of Burnley.
Liverpool will check on Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles).

Fabio Aurelio (adductor) is out and Andy Carroll (thigh) is still unlikely to make his debut, but Luis Suarez returns after being ineligible for the recent European games.

Possible starting XIs:
West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Jacobsen, Bridge, Sears, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Cole, Ba.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel ,Carragher, Kelly, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez.

Think it's going to be a very open game somehow.

WH need to go for the win after yesterdays results and that will leave lots of space for us to exploit.

3-1 to the Mighty Reds  

A bit of advice for our midfield.

Do not under any circumstances let Thomas Hitzelsberger shoot on his left foot.

His left foot makes Riises left foot look tame.

Think it's going to be a very open game somehow.

WH need to go for the win after yesterdays results and that will leave lots of space for us to exploit.

3-1 to the Mighty Reds 

I think West Ham will try to play a tight game and try to nick a goal. Guess we'll find out

2-0 to the reds   

Hope there is no slip up after Thursday's hard fought game. It will be nice to see both Gerrard and Suarez back in the side. Should be a few goals especially as West Ham have to come out and attack, maybe 3-1 to the Reds.

2-1 win with "Raul" getting the winner

Not long now. Come on Redmen

What time is kick off?

What time is kick off?

Half 1 mate.

Potential banana skin, difficult game, West Ham improving blah blah blah, if we want any chance of top four we simply have to win today. No excuses.

No point in beating the Mancs (bar making the title challenge more difficult for them I guess) if we draw here today.

I'm going for a 3-0 to the Reds. Suarez hat trick.

Really hoping Gerrard starts, we need someone who can put Suarez in regularly. Big big game today, we have to win if we are to have any chance of getting fourth. Come on Redmen, do us proud.

Half 1 mate.

Cheers

Gonna miss this one. Have to work.

I think West Ham will be a tougher test than they would have been earlier in the season buy I fully expect us to win this one.

I Steve wasn't for Id like to see a midfield of Raul, Lucas,Maxi with Suarez, Kuyt and Cole as the forwards.

big game must win 2-0 suarez n merieles

An early goal and we'll walk this.  3-0 - Suarez (12, 63) Meireles (40).

Should be a nice easy 3 points in the bag this come on the red men.

Suarez is gona tear them a new one today.

Suarez, Suarez, Meireles, Suarez

4-0 win.

Going with 2-0 Cole and Suarez,any idea if stevie and Carroll traveled..
 

Going with 2-0 Cole and Suarez,any idea if stevie and Carroll traveled  will be fit i dont belive skysports.
 

Kenny says Carroll won't be fit. I don't think he'll be risked.

Still want to hear news on Gerrard, Kelly and Johnson though. Hope they're not all out.

Not too happy today, my U 13s K.O. at 2.00 so will miss the game. On the up side, they may be more entertaining than the reds have been in the last couple of matches. Well perhaps we'll do better today with a couple of changes. Still go for a 2 - 0 win to us. Suarez and Kuyyt.

If Kelly, Gerrard, Johnson, Dagger are all fit im very confident.....

Suarez and Meireles to score the two goals!

2-0 to the reds.

Keen to see our squad for this match.

No excuses, we have to win this one.

hmmmm confused now. sky says .......

But Robbie Keane was only with us for 6 months!

jimmyricewriter who is generally correct about Liverpool teams says theres a surprise at the back for us today.

I'm guessing that Wilson will be at left back today.

I'm sure Kenny will be advising the defersion of defence to keep an eye on Ba- to me he's a better version of Carlton Cole.

jimmyricewriter who is generally correct about Liverpool teams says theres a surprise at the back for us today.

I'm guessing that Wilson will be at left back today.

Wilson start I bet.

jimmyricewriter who is generally correct about Liverpool teams says theres a surprise at the back for us today.

I'm guessing that Wilson will be at left back today.

Hyppia?

JimmyRiceWriter Jimmy Rice
There is a surprise at the back for Liverpool today. Full team news on .tv shortly.

The Liverpool team in full is: Reina, Johnson, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Wilson, Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez. Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Cole, Poulsen, Spearing, Maxi, Ngog.

Three centre backs with Wilson, Skrtel, Carra.

Quality line up that

5-3-2. 3-5-2. Diamond again in midfield. Looks good

So something like...

Reina
Skrtel Carra Wilson
Kelly                    Johnson
Lucas
Gerrard   Meireles
Kuyt
Suarez

Glad Stevie and our full-backs are playing, good to see Wilson start. Poor bench really, no great attacking option there... Cole to come off the bench and start showing us he can play.

Live match thread here:

http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=36703.0

COME ON YOU REDMEN!!