West Ham Build up

[SB]

This much i understand SB am sure he played 90mins in thursday i don't think that is easing him back in 45 mins would have been more suitable............nevertheless he is still an athlete of sorts and if he cannot manage even one half on sunday that's pretty shocking for a footballer

Nice choice of words Bender

I agree that he should be able to play 45mins on Sunday but I wouldn't start him. It's not like we are in desperate need for his services. He offers no more than Maxi IMO so therefore he starts on the bench IMO until he proves otherwise.

[Bender]

Nice choice of words Bender

I agree that he should be able to play 45mins on Sunday but I wouldn't start him. It's not like we are in desperate need for his services. He offers no more than Maxi IMO so therefore he starts on the bench IMO until he proves otherwise.

anyway am of out for a few beers see ya SB

[Patricks_Berger]

Nice choice of words Bender

I agree that he should be able to play 45mins on Sunday but I wouldn't start him. It's not like we are in desperate need for his services. He offers no more than Maxi IMO so therefore he starts on the bench IMO until he proves otherwise.

That is quite a serious allegation you are making.

[SB]

anyway am of out for a few beers see ya SB

Enjoy mate. I'm taking my daughter off for Pony Club.

[SB]

anyway am of out for a few beers see ya SB

That is quite a serious allegation you are making.

In the way of goal threats =

[PaddyPool]

better to have not played him untill he was in proper shape...........yet he still managed the entire game

On the money mate:handshake.

[SB]

On the money mate:handshake.

I read somewhere that the plan was to sub him but injuries meant he had to play the 90. He's a fat old ******* and needs time to recover

[SB]

So no Upson or Keane for the hammers.



West Ham will continue their increasingly anxious fight against Premier League relegation when they host a Liverpool side which could feature Steven Gerrard.

Avram Grant's side have spent almost the entire season in the drop zone, but are still only eight points adrift of 10th-placed Stoke.

The fact that safety has remained tantalisingly within reach therefore provides reason for West Ham to be optimistic, but also frustrated that they have been unable to find any form of consistency.

Liverpool's season has been equally confusing as in the first half of the campaign they produced dreadfully uninspiring form for Roy Hodgson, but they have now gone eight games in all competitions without defeat under Kenny Dalglish.

That form has propelled the Anfield club into the top six and they are just eight points adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth place and crucially occupy the last UEFA Champions League position.

Liverpool, who defeated Sparta Prague on Thursday night to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, have refused to get carried away by talk of the top four, but there cause could be boosted by the return of captain Gerrard from his groin injury.
Injury news

The England international has missed the last three games and watched the win over Sparta from the stands, but is expected to feature at Upton Park.

There is less positive injury news for West Ham as they will again be without Matthew Upson due to an Achilles injury.

On-loan striker Robbie Keane, who spent an unhappy 18 months with Liverpool earlier in his career, will not face his former club as he remains absent with a calf strain.

German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is expected to make his Premier League debut for West Ham after overcoming injury to feature in Monday's FA Cup demolition of Burnley.

Liverpool will check on Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles).

Fabio Aurelio (adductor) is out and Andy Carroll (thigh) is still unlikely to make his debut, but Luis Suarez returns after being ineligible for the recent European games.

Possible starting XIs:

West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Jacobsen, Bridge, Sears, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Cole, Ba.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel ,Carragher, Kelly, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez.

[Konstro]

So no Upson or Keane for the hammers.



West Ham will continue their increasingly anxious fight against Premier League relegation when they host a Liverpool side which could feature Steven Gerrard.

Avram Grant's side have spent almost the entire season in the drop zone, but are still only eight points adrift of 10th-placed Stoke.

The fact that safety has remained tantalisingly within reach therefore provides reason for West Ham to be optimistic, but also frustrated that they have been unable to find any form of consistency.

Liverpool's season has been equally confusing as in the first half of the campaign they produced dreadfully uninspiring form for Roy Hodgson, but they have now gone eight games in all competitions without defeat under Kenny Dalglish.

That form has propelled the Anfield club into the top six and they are just eight points adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth place and crucially occupy the last UEFA Champions League position.

Liverpool, who defeated Sparta Prague on Thursday night to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, have refused to get carried away by talk of the top four, but there cause could be boosted by the return of captain Gerrard from his groin injury.
Injury news

The England international has missed the last three games and watched the win over Sparta from the stands, but is expected to feature at Upton Park.

There is less positive injury news for West Ham as they will again be without Matthew Upson due to an Achilles injury.

On-loan striker Robbie Keane, who spent an unhappy 18 months with Liverpool earlier in his career, will not face his former club as he remains absent with a calf strain.

German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is expected to make his Premier League debut for West Ham after overcoming injury to feature in Monday's FA Cup demolition of Burnley.

Liverpool will check on Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles).

Fabio Aurelio (adductor) is out and Andy Carroll (thigh) is still unlikely to make his debut, but Luis Suarez returns after being ineligible for the recent European games.

Possible starting XIs:

West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Jacobsen, Bridge, Sears, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Cole, Ba.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel ,Carragher, Kelly, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez.

Who writes this things?

[RichC]

good chance today to put some real pressure on Spurs and the Chav's with a win today !

[Mostar]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/02/26/west-ham-v-liverpool-fc-preview-reds-stars-return-can-boost-firepower-100252-28237800/

West Ham v Liverpool FC preview: Reds stars’ return can boost firepower

ANOTHER week, another box ticked for Kenny Dalglish.

The Liverpool manager’s first European night in charge at Anfield may not have had the fluency or significance of days gone by, but a late strike from Dirk Kuyt – who else? – ensured a safe passage for the Reds to the Europa League's last 16, and extended the side’s unbeaten run to an impressive eight games.

Next up for Dalglish and his side is a Sunday lunchtime date with Avram Grant’s struggling West Ham United, as Liverpool look to continue their recent fine form.

A win at Upton Park would take the Reds to within touching distance of the Premier League’s top four – an almost unthinkable thought when Dalglish waltzed back into Anfield just seven weeks ago.

And whilst hard work has been the order of the day during the Dalglish revival, the Scot now believes Liverpool are in a position to add some more attacking dynamism to their game, as they prepare to welcome back a host of star names.

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez will return to the squad for the trip to east London, and with Steven Gerrard and club-record signing Andy Carroll edging ever closer to full fitness, and Joe Cole having completed a full 90 minutes in Thursday’s win over Sparta Prague, Dalglish is delighted at the prospect of his new-look frontline.

“It certainly won’t do us any harm to have those players coming back in,” says Dalglish, “It’s been a bit frustrating for Luis that he has been cup-tied for the Europa League, but he’s settled in brilliantly, as has big Andy.

“Obviously Luis is not going to win a game on his own, he is going to need support, but it is great to have him back and available.

“It is not an ideal scenario when you come to a football club and you are not available for all the matches, but he is here for a long while, and when he is asked to play I am sure he will make a fantastic contribution – as he has so far for us.”

Liverpool FC manager Kenny DalglishThe return of Cole, says the Reds boss, is an added bonus.

The former Chelsea man came unscathed through a taxing 90 minutes against a dogged Sparta Prague in midweek, having struggled with an ankle complaint throughout Dalglish’s reign, and will be in strong contention for a starting place against the club with which he started his career.

“Joe Cole is a real bonus for us,” says Dalglish.

“It has been a stop-start season for him, and it was a great credit to Joe the way he finished the game against Sparta, running the full length of the pitch to almost get a goal in the very last minute. It proves there’s not much wrong with his fitness, he just needs to get back some match practice and then he will be OK.

“He didn’t need to show anybody that he wanted to play. It’s been frustrating for him; obviously he was sent off in his first game, and then he’s picked up two or three injuries which means he has never really got going.

“This has been the first opportunity I have had to have him in the squad, and it’s a great asset to have because he’s a top player.”

Liverpool FC manager Kenny DalglishLiverpool will head to Upton Park looking to record their third league win in a row away from home, having picked up just one in their previous 11 under former boss Roy Hodgson, and Dalglish has nothing but praise for the work put in by his players on the training ground, and says the improvement in the side’s form on the road is just reward for their efforts.

“You certainly learn a lot more about players by being close to them; whether it is in training or in games,” he says, “We might not pass it as well as everybody would love to, but you certainly cannot fault the lads for effort and commitment.

“They have responded brilliantly to the work on the training ground with Steve Clarke and Sammy, and on the pitch this has been carried forwards. They deserve a great deal of credit for the way they have turned it round; they’re the ones who play, they’re the ones who get the results, and if they’d kept applying themselves hard, I’m sure they’d have won more games before I arrived.

“You need a bit of luck to win any game, especially away from home. At Wolves, for example, we competed well and made it difficult for them, and that has set the standard for our away performances. It will be much the same on Sunday.”

With West Ham languishing in 19th place, and in the midst of a relegation dogfight, Liverpool will go into tomorrow’s clash as favourites. They have won on five of their last six visits to Upton Park, but Dalglish insists he is taking nothing for granted, and rejects the idea that his side could suffer a continental ‘hangover’ following their midweek efforts.

“We have not treated our European games any differently,” he says. “We have played Wednesday/Saturday before so it is no issue, and we could well have a few players back for Sunday, which will help us and freshen the team up a bit.

“If you are going to be successful then you are going to have to win matches, and the reward for winning matches is more games. We’d much rather play games than spend time on the training pitch. We are looking forward to the games.

“We go into every game knowing it is going to be difficult, and West Ham is no different. Irrespective of league position, we will always treat them with respect, but the most important team for Sunday is us, and what we do.

“West Ham is a fantastic football club that has not had the best of seasons, but that is not to say they can’t turn it on on their day. We just hope their day is not Sunday!”

[Muddled]

Reina

Kelly
Carragher
Skrtel
Johnson

Kuyt
Lucas
Meireles
Maxi

Gerrard
Suarez

... is my guess. Guess we need Snoop on the case ...

[greenbloodred]

Reina

Kelly
Carragher
Skrtel
Johnson

Kuyt
Lucas
Gerrard
Meireles
Maxi

Gerrard
Suarez

... is my guess. Guess we need Snoop on the case ...

Less 1!

[Drago]

that useless **** at left back, we will concede. 1-1

[Muddled]

Less 1!

Ha! Was hoping we'd learnt how to clone Gerrard. God help us when he retires!