A report claims David Moyes could drop a West Ham star Jurgen Klopp wants for the clash with Liverpool and his Europa League line-up will give a big clue.
West Ham and Liverpool both kick off their Europa League campaigns on Thursday night before going head-to-head on Sunday.
The Hammers go to Anfield to take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side in the wake of a somewhat harsh defeat to Man City last time out.
Liverpool are in something of a transitional phase right now. And West Ham will be hopeful of coming away from Merseyside with a positive result following a fine start to the Premier League season.
Both David Moyes and Klopp are expected to ring the changes for their European games against Serbian league leaders TSC Backa Topola and LASK respectively.
Report: David Moyes could drop West Ham star Jurgen Klopp wants for the clash with Liverpool and Europa League line-up will give big clue
But one West Ham player who has been linked with Liverpool may well keep his place in Europe. Because he could find himself on the bench for the league game at Anfield on Sunday.
A report claims Moyes could drop a West Ham star Klopp wants for the clash with Liverpool and his Europa League line-up will give a big clue.
Earlier this month it was claimed Klopp wants to sign West Ham’s Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd as part of his Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk succession plan.
Aguerd has been inconsistent and erratic during his time at West Ham. He can go from the sublime to the ridiculous in a game and is often targeted by the opposition.
Against Man City he made some excellent blocks and long range passes but it was undone by a really poor passage of play which resulted in the killer second goal.
Erratic Aguerd finds his place under threat amid increased competition ahead of Liverpool
He was also partially at fault for the third by failing to put pressure on Bernardo Silva, showing him inside on his favoured left foot instead of down the line as he teed up Erling Haaland to score.
The 28-year-old may be wanted by Liverpool. But it seems Klopp won’t get a close look at Aguerd on Sunday.
Because The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas has suggested Moyes could now drop Aguerd having been disappointed with his defending for the second goal against Man City.
Aguerd was also fortunate not to have cost his side when he was sent off with 30 minutes left to play for a rash challenge while on a booking in the victory over Chelsea.
Opposition players – such as Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy following a 5-1 win over the Hammers – have admitted their managers have targeted putting pressure on Aguerd.
Now it could find himself taken out of the team given the competition for places at West Ham.
If Moroccan is in the side for European opener then it’s likely he’s been dropped for Liverpool
“There is no doubting Aguerd’s abilities, but West Ham are now well stocked in central defence, with captain Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Angelo Ogbonna and £17million ($21.6m) summer signing Konstantinos Mavropanos all viable options. Aguerd needs to get back to his best,” Thomas said this week.
“Manager David Moyes did not mention Aguerd by name, but it was clear he was disappointed with the Morocco international’s defending for Bernardo’s goal…
“Ogbonna and Mavropanos are likely to feature in Thursday’s Europa League group-stage game against Backa Topola. The duo have the opportunity to give Moyes a defensive conundrum before Sunday’s league game away to Liverpool. Ogbonna impressed alongside Zouma in the victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.”
Should Moyes elect to drop Aguerd for Liverpool then it might actually be that he names Aguerd in his line-up for the European opener.
If that does prove to be the case then it is a sure sign Aguerd – the man Klopp allegedly wants in his Liverpool defence – won’t be in the starting XI at Anfield.
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