West Ham United head to Liverpool on Saturday, with both sides chasing points in their respective goals. For Nuno Espirito Santo’s side its all about finding a way to get themselves to safety. West Ham are one of the Premier League’s in form sides, but a trip to Anfield is a whole different test.
Former Wigan Athletic and Everton boss, Roberto Martinez was a guest on Gary Neville’s The Overlap this week, talking all things Premier League. The now-Portugal manager was asked for his take on Liverpool vs West Ham, with every other pundit taking a Liverpool win. Martinez answered differently:
“What I think is that the manager of West Ham knows how to win at Anfield.
“And Liverpool struggle when teams are defensive.
“I fancy West Ham; 1-0 to West Ham.”
A win for the Hammers could put them in the driving seat for survival. Nottingham Forest play Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, knowing they could be in the bottom three come kick off.
West Ham’s unwanted Liverpool record
West Ham have historically struggled against Liverpool. The Hammers have beaten the Reds just three times in the last ten years, the last of which coming in 2021. The Iron’s last win over Liverpool on Merseyside came 11 years ago, in an emphatic 3-0 win.
Since then, the Hammers have had zero luck at Anfield, drawing just once in their games there.
One thing West Ham do have up their sleeve, is Nuno’s record against Saturday’s opponents. The former Nottingham Forest boss has done well in his last couple of games against the Reds.
Whilst he could not stop Liverpool from beating the Hammers in their last meeting, his last trip to Anfield was fruitful. His Forest side left Merseyside as 1-0 winners, thanks to a Callum Hudson-Odoi goal.
Nuno will need to dig into that formula to once again, find a result a Liverpool’s famous stadium.
West Ham’s defensive stand
A big part of West Ham’s improvement has been their defence. After switching to back four permanently after the 3-2 Chelsea defeat, the Hammers look like a new team.
On-loan defender Axel Disasi has been a revelation, keeping countryman Jean-Clair Todibo out of the side. Konstantinos Mavropanos has continued his strong form, whilst Mads Hermansen has come back in and could be the Irons long-term option at goalkeeper.
It is imperative that Nuno’s side keep this side of their form up. Defence win’s games, and right now West Ham have a strong one, ready for any challenge.
