West Ham v Liverpool preview: Daniel Sturridge out for Upton Park visit

Daniel Sturridge is not in Liverpool's squad for their trip to West Ham for Saturday's early kick-off at Upton Park.

The Reds go into this clash after back-to-back 1-0 victories over the festive period, with boss Jurgen Klopp dismissing early talk of a potential title tilt.

Inconsistency has plagued Liverpool's season to date, but should they muster another three points at Upton Park on Saturday, they can certainly start to aim high in such a unpredictable Premier League campaign.

The Hammers will be no pushovers though, with two wins in their last three encounters with Liverpool, but injuries have derailed their fantastic start to this campaign.

Those injuries are showing signs of relenting, but after one win in their last nine league matches, Slaven Bilic will know his side need to rekindle their early season vigour to climb the table.

Team news

Dimitri Payet returns to the West Ham squad after two months out with an ankle injury.

Defender Winston Reid and winger Victor Moses (both hamstring) are also back in training after spells out but Bilic says they are not match fit and will probably return in the FA Cup against Wolves next weekend.

Left-back Aaron Cresswell missed Monday's 2-1 win over Southampton with a tight hamstring and will be handed a late fitness test. Striker Diafra Sakho (thigh) is still out.

Doubt over Klopp's 10s?

Is Jurgen Klopp getting enough from Liverpool's three No 10s?

Reds boss Klopp has been cautious over the fitness of Sturridge, who has made only six appearances all season, and although his latest hamstring problem is easing he is not in the squad.

Fellow striker Divock Origi (hamstring) and midfielder James Milner (calf) are out along with Jordan Henderson (foot) while Klopp is waiting for news concerning Joe Allen (illness).

Opta stats

West Ham have won as many Premier League games against Liverpool in their last three meetings (2) as they did in their previous 22 combined.

Both teams have scored in each of the last five Premier League matches between the two at the Boleyn Ground (21 in total).

Six of West Ham's last eight Premier League games have ended in a draw (W1 D6 L1).

Andy Carroll could make his 150th Premier League appearance in this game - 44 of his Premier League appearances came for Liverpool, where he netted just six goals.

Liverpool mustered just one shot on target in their 3-0 defeat to the Hammers at Anfield earlier this season.

West Ham have conceded the lowest percentage of second half goals in the top flight this season (39%).

Paul Merson's prediction

I wasn't really impressed with Liverpool against Sunderland, they didn't look great. They didn't keep the ball for more than about four or five passes, and the goal was rather fortunate.

The manager will be pleased with the result, but Jurgen Klopp will know that if they carry on playing like that they will not win many football matches. They gave away the ball so cheaply.

West Ham, if they get all their players back, are a threat. They got a massive win against Southampton, especially going 1-0 down against a club on a bit of a high.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Liverpool are Sky Bet's 11/10 favourites with West Ham 13/5 and the draw trading at 23/10. Jurgen Klopp's men are 5/4 to secure a top-four finish, while West Ham, who are unbeaten in their last six, are evens to finish in the top half.

The Hammers have won two and lost two of the last four meetings at the Boleyn Ground and in all of those matches both teams have scored on each occasion and it's 5/6 for that trend to continue. The hosts can be backed at 6/1 to win with both teams scoring, while Liverpool are 7/2 shots.

Christian Benteke has scored the winner in back-to-back victories and is available at 9/4 to score in an away win. Soccer Saturday pundit Phil Thompson is backing the former Villa striker to net the winner in a 2-1 success at odds of 28/1 with Sky Bet. Get all the Sky Bet odds here.