David Moyes makes two West Ham changes for Liverpool and resists calls to drop star Craig Dawson in our predicted line-up.
West Ham head to Anfield on Saturday evening to take on the daunting task of title challengers Liverpool.
The Hammers won the reverse fixture 3-2 back in November.
But Moyes’s side have struggled for any kind of top form or consistency since having lost key man Angelo Ogbonna that day.
While most would agree West Ham’s shallow squad has faded somewhat, Liverpool seem to be getting stronger with every passing game.
It is a huge match for both Liverpool’s title ambitions and West Ham’s hopes of a European spot.
West Ham’s near full strength side was beaten by Southampton in midweek so Klopp will not be unduly worried about the Hammers whereas Moyes will be looking – and hoping – for even the slightest advantages.
Unfortunately for West Ham, Liverpool have a near fully fit SQUAD nevermind first XI to pick from for the clash.
But how will Moyes line up off the back of the FA Cup exit and with Sevilla on the horizon in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night.
We think Moyes makes two changes for Liverpool and resists calls to drop star Craig Dawson.
Predicted: David Moyes makes two West Ham changes for Liverpool and resists calls to drop star Craig Dawson
The central defender has been one of the most consistent players for West Ham all season-long.
As a result he is a serious shout for Hammer of the Year – which takes some doing up against the likes of Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen.
There have been calls from some fans for Dawson to be dropped, though, after a rare below par performance in defeat to the Saints.
With Issa Diop performing well of late and being one of West Ham’s better players in a back three against Southampton, there have been calls for him to get the nod alongside Kurt Zouma in place of Dawson.
A furious Moyes actually pointed the blame at Dawson after the defeat, criticising his defending.
Moyes will stick with his veteran defender, though, and will instead make two changes elsewhere.
Lukasz Fabianski is West Ham’s number one but has clearly benefited from the increased competition Alphonse Areola has provided.
The former Poland star comes back in for the French World Cup winner at Anfield.
The other change will see former Liverpool youth team player Aaron Cresswell come back in for Diop as a left centre back.
We think Moyes will stick with a back three with Pablo Fornals and Ben Johnson remaining as wing-backs.
And they will both have their work cut out given the plethora of world leading talent at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.
There have been signs the back five works well for West Ham.
The Hammers could have been well ahead against Saints but for the awful decision making and play of their attacking players.
If that can click and West Ham can keep things tight then who knows.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Liverpool:
Fabianski, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Fornals, Soucek, Rice, Lanzini, Bowen, Antonio.
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