The West Ham website drops big hint over David Moyes team selection for Liverpool after tough dilemma for Hammers boss between two stars.
West Ham entertain Liverpool at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon knowing a win will see them leapfrog the Reds.
The Hammers go into the game full of confidence unbeaten in their last six games with five consecutive wins before the 2-2 draw in Genk on Thursday night.
West Ham are through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and are looking highly likely to make the last 16 of the Europa League.
The extra games have meant Moyes must manage his West Ham squad carefully. And the Scot has done that masterfully so far this season.
Moyes faces a big selection dilemma for Liverpool over whether to start young star Ben Johnson or Vladimir Coufal at right-back.
Rewind a couple of months and that would not even be a decision for Moyes. That shows just how brilliantly Johnson has done in his natural position at right-back during Coufal’s absence with a groin injury.
The Czech star cemented his place as one of the best right-backs in the league last season.
He played the full 90 minutes in Genk on Thursday as he continues his comeback and Moyes admitted pre-match that he has a tough decision to make over which of them starts against Liverpool.
But an article on West Ham’s official website appears to drop a big hint that he has made his decision.
West Ham website drops big hint over David Moyes team selection for Liverpool after tough dilemma
A lovely interview with Johnson was published this morning on the website titled ‘Johnson ready for another big match assignment’.
And while it does state ‘if selected’ – the feature and questions about playing against Liverpool certainly suggest Johnson will get the nod.
“Johnson has started seven games – three in the Premier League, two in the UEFA Europa League and two in the Carabao Cup – and West Ham have won all seven, conceding just one goal,” the feature on whufc.com states.
“The Essex-born full-back also chipped in with the opening goal to set his team on the way to a 4-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa last weekend, and he will hope to keep his place for this weekend’s live Sky-televised clash with Jurgen Klopp’s in-form Reds.”
Given that Coufal started and played the full game on Thursday night, that would be a fair assumption.
Moyes’s comments had muddied the water somewhat.
But most West Ham fans feel Johnson should keep the shirt given his performances.
Coufal’s experience against such top opposition is a big factor in his favour. Youthful exuberance can be just as important, though.
The great thing for West Ham and Moyes is having such a difficult decision to make.
But it seems Johnson keeps the shirt.
More West Ham news:
Moyes gives it back to Moose and co with both barrels over fan attack.
Klopp shows he’s a proper football man with brilliant tribute to West Ham.
West Ham owners Sullivan and Gold make big admission in rare statement.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
