Liverpool v West Ham: Coutinho-less Reds still too strong for Hammers
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The weekend’s Premier League action concludes at Anfield when Liverpool host West Ham in what is very much a case of the division’s best strikeforce against the table’s worst defence.
Even without star man Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool are well-fancied at 2/7, with Slaven Bilic’s visitors 10/1 outsiders.
And this weekend’s tie is a far contrast from the Irons’ last visit to Anfield, when they ran out deserved 3-0 victors.
Having already conceded 29 times this term – over two goals per game – the east Londoners are in for a difficult evening, especially after they were thumped 5-1 by Arsenal last weekend.
Liverpool, with 35 goals already this season, will be desperate to bounce back from the shock 4-3 loss to Bournemouth last time out. The expected return of Joel Matip should ensure the Reds don’t suffer a repeat.
Plus, Klopp’s men haven’t lost any of their last 13 home games, a run stretching back to January.
The Hammers have netted in 12 of their 14 fixtures this season, and with Liverpool to win and both teams to score already coming good eight times, the 6/4 on it happening again looks assured.
Even without Coutinho, Liverpool have plenty of attacking talent to cause major problems for West Ham’s haphazard back-line
Sadio Mane already has seven goals and four assists, and the forward is expected to return from a knock in time to continue his excellent start to life on Merseyside.
The 24-year-old is 4/1 to net the opener, behind arguably Liverpool’s finest player this season, Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian has been at the heart of the Red’s attack this term, with five goals and five assists.
It’s 7/2 the 25-year-old scores first, the same price as Divock Origi.
The Belgian has come good for Klopp in recent weeks, netting three goals in his last three games.
Further value could lie in the hosts going on the rampage once again, with Liverpool 7/4 on the -2 handicap.
The 13/8 on Liverpool/Liverpool in the Half-Time/Full-Time betting could also be a solid angle to go with.
Even if West Ham had been playing well this term, heading to face this fully-fledged Klopp-style Liverpool would be a tall order.
But given their current plight, this could be one of the most one-sided contests of the season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
