Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
West Ham defender James Tomkins has a calf injury and misses Tuesday’s FA Cup fourth round replay with Liverpool.
Joey O’Brien will make his first start since July at right-back because new signing Sam Byram is cup-tied and Carl Jenkinson is out for the season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will take charge after missing Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland with appendicitis.
Philippe Coutinho, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are all in contention after returning from injuries.
Editor’s Note: Liverpool have failed to beat West Ham in three attempts this season they will have a fourth opportunity Tonight as they travel to Upton Park for this F.A.Cup 4th Round Replay.
The Merseyside club have been in the news this week for matters off the pitch as potential increases of ticket prices has certainly incurred the wrath of the Liverpool fanbase. So much so that a large portion of those fans walked out of Anfield in the 77th Minute of last Saturday’s encounter with Sunderland.
Had those fans walked out they would have missed their side give away a 2-0 lead to Sunderland and throw away what was set to be a comfortable home win. A soft free kick from Adam Johnson led the fight back and Jermaine Defoe managed to score at the death to allow Sunderland a share of the points.
Another man who would have missed Sunderland’s fight back is Jurgen Klopp. Klopp was taken sick before Saturday’s game but has taken the decision to discharge himself so he will be on the touchline tonight.
With Liverpool now 9th in the table it seems as if Cup glory will be the only way to have a relatively decent season but first they will have to overcome the challenge of a West Ham side who are currently 6th in the Premier League.
The last time these two sides met was a bore draw between a de facto reserve side for Liverpool and a much changed West Ham outfit. That night Liverpool’s young side did look impressive but they couldn’t beat West Ham’s stand in Goalkeeper Darren Randolph. With the league campaign all but a write off will Jurgen Klopp put out a stronger side tonight.
They have already lost to West Ham home and away in the League this season so maybe Klopp will feel that he can’t afford to take any risks against a Hammers side with European aspirations of their own.
Slaven Bilic’s side have failed to win their last two Premier League encounters and failed to make the most of their numerical advantage on Saturday away at Southampton after Victor Wanayama’s third red card of the season.
Upton Park will no doubt be rocking Tonight as these cup nights at the ground are now coming to an end and their fans certainly won’t want it to be their last this Evening. I have a feeling West Ham will win this and continue Liverpool’s failure to beat The Hammers all season. The last time these two sides met at Upton Park it was 2-0 to West Ham, don’t be surprised if that happens again. A home win for me.
