Liverpool vs West Ham United. Premier League.
AnfieldAttendance53,068.
Sunday 11 December 2016 15:39, UK
Liverpool are boosted by Joel Matip's return to fitness ahead of West Ham's trip to Anfield on Nissan Super Sunday.
The Cameroonian missed last weekend's shock defeat at Bournemouth with ankle trouble but has sufficiently recovered to be considered for selection against the Hammers.
West Ham, who head to Merseyside looking to arrest a five-game winless streak in the Premier League, will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-0 triumph in last season's corresponding fixture.
The Hammers will be boosted by the news that Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell are fit for the trip having missed Saturday's demolition at the hands of Arsenal.
Team news
Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana is pushing for a start having made his comeback from a groin problem as a substitute on Sunday.
Striker Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of the next two matches as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.
For West Ham, Antonio and Cresswell have been back in training this week but the game comes too soon for Cheikhou Kouyate (groin) who is still recovering.
James Collins (muscular injury), Reece Oxford (ankle) and Diafra Sakho (hamstring) are all unavailable.
Opta stats
Liverpool's loss to West Ham at Anfield in August 2015 was their first home defeat to them in the Premier League (W14 D5).
West Ham did the league double over Liverpool last season for the first time since 1963/64. They've never won three consecutive games in the league against Liverpool.
In fact, Liverpool didn't win any of their four games against West Ham last season, losing an FA Cup 4th round replay to them also (D1 L3).
West Ham scored as many goals in their last league visit to Anfield (three) as they had in their previous 13 league games there.
Daniel Sturridge has scored four times in six Premier League games against West Ham, although only one of those goals has been scored at Anfield.
There were two red cards given in this exact fixture last season, with Philippe Coutinho and Mark Noble dismissed.
West Ham United have lost a league-high 10 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.
The Hammers have made six individual errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season; more than any other team.
Former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has scored 44 Premier League goals, with exactly half of these being netted with his head (22). Of players to have scored 40+ Premier League goals, only Duncan Ferguson, Tim Cahill, Kenwyne Jones and John Terry have scored a higher proportion with their head.
The previous three Premier League games to involve Liverpool and to be played on a Sunday this season have all produced seven goals (21 in total).
Merson's prediction
The last 20 minutes against Arsenal was just terrible and I fear for West Ham. Another 10 minutes and it could have been eight.
They are shipping goals left, right and centre and could be in real trouble this weekend if Liverpool get on a roll.
I can't see anything other than a comfortable home win, and I'm actually being kind to the Hammers with my prediction. It could be much worse.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Betting
Liverpool are Sky Bet's 2/7 favourites for the victory with West Ham up against odds of 17/2, while the draw is priced at 19/4. Jurgen Klopp's men headed into the weekend as the 5/1 third favourites for the Premier League title while their visitors are considered to have a slightly smaller chance of facing relegation at 6/1.
Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino share favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 apiece while Andy Carroll is considered the main threat to his former club at 10/1 to net first.
Jamie Redknapp and the Soccer Saturday pundits have provided their tips for the match - click here to see what they're backing.
Watch Liverpool v West Ham on Super Sunday, 4.15pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
