Pre Match: West Ham v Liverpool Sat 2nd January 12:45KO

I see some of you would rather have Firmino up front instead of Benteke, because he better suits our playing style, fair enough, but if I was to put money on either Firmino or Benteke scoring in a game my money is going on Benteke!
 I've seen nothing to suggest that Firmino is suddenly going start being prolific.
This is likely to be a scrappy win if we get it, so I'd play the guy that's most likely to sneak a goal for us.

Fair point.

And why Jimmy Corkhill?

Why?

Was it Dicks?

Yeah, scored with a penalty. You win a plus 1

Next question - Two Liverpool players from the same town both scored hatricks on their debuts for Liverpool who are they.

Same team as against Sunderland with the exception of Ibe in for Lallana. Would be great if we can bring on Sturridge at some point.

Is there anyone fit left?

its funny you ask,  west ham players are all back for this game

Happy New Year to all.

Is Sturridge an actual chance to play today? It would give us a great boost.

A bit of payback must be exacted against this mob, and they will scrap for 90 minutes. This will be a great litmus test to see how our recent revival will fare.

He may last the full 90mins today seeing as we don't play until tomorrow

Yeah, scored with a penalty. You win a plus 1

Next question - Two Liverpool players from the same town both scored hatricks on their debuts for Liverpool who are they.

Ian St John and Bobby Graham (Motherwell)?

Ian St John and Bobby Graham (Motherwell)?

Spot on ... and well done

A bit like when my local team arrives at away ground with just 11 fit players so I can see them saying  "these look F***ing soft and are there for the taking, we have to batter them!"

Sure its not THAT bad with LFC as Klopp will do have full bench to chose from. But our injury crisis and energy levels probably not at 100%, West Ham will likely go out there mentaly very strong and with belief Liverpool dont look up too much.

Sorry Im not looking for an excuses just saying its going to be a huge battle and a massive three points should we win.

All the best for 2016 to all my fellow reds!  Lets hope for a win against West Ham.  Benteke and Sturridge to start please.

The following did not travel for the West Ham game: Hendo, Milner, Studge, Origi. Given the tired legs after the quick succession of matches we could have done with some good news...

Yep, was hoping for Sturridge just to sit on the bench giving West Ham something to thing about. oh well

I'd go Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho; Benteke.


 

I see some of you would rather have Firmino up front instead of Benteke, because he better suits our playing style, fair enough, but if I was to put money on either Firmino or Benteke scoring in a game my money is going on Benteke!
 I've seen nothing to suggest that Firmino is suddenly going start being prolific.
This is likely to be a scrappy win if we get it, so I'd play the guy that's most likely to sneak a goal for us.

Fully agree.

Spot on ... and well done

Got to give credit to LFC history site!  Took some finding though...!  Great question.

http://www.lfchistory.net/Stats/PlayerHattricksTotals.aspx

It would be great if the Reds, could make it three wins on the trot, at West Ham. This would make for a really Happy New Year for all the fans.

Henderson and Sturridge not available tomorrow according to the boss.

I want payback for when they came to Anfield.

My mates son of all people, chatted sh*t after that game and I firmly put him in his place. He apologized but now I want to see him how he feels when the boots on the other foot....I was gonna say get banged but that wouldn't sound right. 

            Mignolet
Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno,
         Lucas, Can
Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino
           Benteke

Lucas or Milner in for Hendo (not sure if Milner available, but Lucas did well when came on the other night)
Would give the front 4 another chance. Maybe if Firmino controls that Cou ball and gets a shot away we'd have gone 1 up early and the rest of the game might have been easier. Maybe, maybe not. Tbh, could be similar pattern to the Sunderland game, tire in the 2nd half - so would bring Ibe etc. at that point.
Depending on the defense again to keep clean sheet, cause hard to see a lot of goals. Still, if we click, maybe we can knock a few in.
Please let us click...

Not really optimistic on this one given the tired legs vs the hammers' fresh legs. I hope to be surprised with an emphatic performance followed by quality buys in the the transfer window.

Prediction: 0-3. I just love them clean sheets.😜

Not really optimistic on this one given the tired legs vs the hammers' fresh legs. I hope to be surprised with an emphatic performance followed by quality buys in the the transfer window.

Prediction: 0-3. I just love them clean sheets.😜

You're not really optimistic, but you're going for.a 3-0 Liverpool win? My optimism is that we won't get beaten!
After 2 wins on the bounce, you would think our boys would be feeling a little bit more confident, but because we scraped 1-0 wins in those games, they might not have that swagger about them just yet.
They've beaten Arsenal, Chelsea, City, Palace, Southampton and ahem, Liverpool this season, and they're only one point behind us in the league, so I doubt this will be a walk over.

I would take a scrappy1-0 win all day long.

Got to give credit to LFC history site!  Took some finding though...!  Great question.

http://www.lfchistory.net/Stats/PlayerHattricksTotals.aspx

Great list. Glad to say I saw 54 of those listed, who have scored hat tricks, play.

Will be a tough game....but then again all the Prem games are tough.
We shouldn't be so fearful of them after all we have won our last 2 games too and winning does give confidence.  If we move the ball quickly and importantly take our scoring chances, then we will comfortably get the result.
I'm going 0-2 Can and Benteke

Looks like they'll be at full strength, minus Diafra Sakho. Payed probably on the bench.

We got tanked by them earlier this season so a bit of revenge would be nice. New manager, new style and more graft in the side which was lacking last time out against them.

Maybe as few changes as possible would help the side continue but we have some big games coming up. Trust in Jürgen to get it done.

I see a wee Joe Allen on the pictures training with the team yesterday - maybe  a packed midfield with him, Lucas and Can would be a way to go?

I can see West Ham going in overly enthusiastic, hope the referee is not intimidated by a noisy crowd and uses his cards when appropriate.