Before I start the weekly low-down, as per, just a heads up on being 6 points ahead of our comparable fixtures last season. We lost to Arsenal away 4-1, Stoke away 6-1, and drew with Leicester 2-2 (the team which had been promoted the season before as Champions). While our scoring has halved from the comparative fixtures, we've began by conceding 12 less goals. That's a bigger start than we could have hoped for in that regard.
Anyway... on with the standard...
Liverpool won the home game against West Ham 2-0 last season, part of the West Ham's start of a monumental decline. While we have picked up 7 out of 9 points against the club at home since they returned to the PL, it should be noted that Liverpool haven't lost to West Ham at home since 1963, if my records are correct.
Having looked incredibly impressive against Arsenal on the first weekend, the club has lost a lot of confidence with the following two results, last week struggling against Bournemouth's attack. That being said, they still managed to score, with only Leicester and Man City scoring more so far this season in the league (Crystal Palace also have 6).
Adrian has really grown in the Premier League in a short space of time. I really rate the guy personally, and he would've started if the club hadn't fought against his red card. Randolph will deputise, with Spiegel as backup.
On paper, they are strong, but Jenkinson is also suspended. Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, O'Brien (likely to replace Jenkinson), Collins and Tomkins are a solid six defenders. Expect the first four to start on saturday. Youngsters support the collective 7.
In midfield, West Ham still hope to add Song, but have Kouyate, Noble, Obiang and Poyet able to play deeper, Nolan, Payet, Amalfitano, Jarvis and Lanzini able to play in front of them. Jarvis is their clearest, and arguably only, player able to give width. They are clearly stocked with decent options here.
Up top, they have good options too, if only any of them were fit. One is, and Maiga it seems is leaving so they may have to give a youngster a chance up front, or play Payet in a false 10 role. Carroll, Zarate, Sakho and Valencia are all nursing injuries and it remains to be seen if one, or any, will be able to play this coming weekend.
I'm expecting West Ham to play in a similar way to that of their first weekend, combative and disruptive in play. They will not shy away from challenges, and even without a forward, they will cause a few problems as their goal return has proven. Michael Antonio could join the club in the next couple of days, dependent on Forest and a deal being brokered, and that kind of signing shows an eagerness to provide the team with more unpredictability when playing AMs, with another winger there to relieve focus on Jarvis. West Ham will believe they can fight for a draw, a win if they manage to keep a striker fit enough for the game, but this is a stern test, even with recent results. West Ham want to finish in the top half this season, and having thrown away early points, this is a game that could recover confidence and lost opportunities. A loss will not heavily affect their season, and it will not destroy the season, and for that reason, it is a game Liverpool will probably have more residing on and therefore more to lose. Expect goals.
