West Ham v Liverpool - Match preview and team news
West Ham will look to continue an impressive start to their Premier League campaign when they welcome Liverpool to Upton Park today.
The Hammers currently sit three points ahead of today's opponents, and will be full of confidence having defeated Chelsea 3-1 last week. Sam Allardyce's side have now gone four games unbeaten at home, and indeed have only lost one league match at Upton Park this season, against Arsenal.
Liverpool have been in inconsistent form all season, but do come into this clash on the back of two victories. Two wins in their last seven league matches however shows a side that are struggling to convert draws into victories.
If Brendan Rodgers' side are to record a win today, they will need to do it without striker Luis Suarez, who is serving a suspension. The Uruguayan has netted 10 goals in 15 this season, but Liverpool's next top scorer is own-goals, of which they have benefitted from three this campaign.
In place of Suarez, Rodgers will opt for midfielder Jonjo Shelvey to start, flanked on either side by Raheem Sterling and Stewart Downing. Lucas Leiva continues in central midfield after making his league comeback against Southampton last weekend.
West Ham will be without the injured, and ineligible Andy Carroll, on loan from the Reds, and so Carlton Cole will start up-front. George McCartney and Yossi Benayoun will face late tests over injury doubts. Alou Diarra is out with a thigh problem, as is Ricardo Vaz Te, who is still out with a shoulder complaint.
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