Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Tom Clark

Confirmed West Ham team news against Liverpool as Moyes makes Rice and Soucek decisions

Declan Rice misses out for West Ham against Liverpool after picking up a virus and not making the trip to Anfield. It is understood that Rice tested negative for COVID but was not well enough for the trip to Liverpool.

The key midfielder faced a late medical check-up on Saturday morning with a view to joining up with the squad late on but has been left in London with an eye on Sevilla in midweek.

Rice is replaced in the team by Nikola Vlasic in one of three changes from midweek.

Lukasz Fabianski has been recalled to the West Ham team with Alphonse Areola dropping to the bench as a result.

Aaron Cresswell is also back in from the start with Mark Noble, Ryan Fredericks, Arthur Masuaku have all recovered from injury to take their spots on the West Ham bench.

West Ham are looking to spring a surprise at Anfield and maintain their push for European football but face a tough challenge against title chasing Liverpool.

The Hammers have a poor record at Anfield, with just one win there in 59 years, however, a 3-2 win over Jurgen Klopp's side at the London Stadium earlier this season will help their confidence ahead of this evening's match.

Ahead of the returning Fabianski in goal, Ben Johnson, Kurt Zouma, Craig Dawson and Aaron Cresswell make up the backline. There were few options for Moyes in this area due to a number of injuries in his squad, although Fredericks and Masuaku's return to the squad is a welcome one.

However, with Pablo Fornals in the line-up Moyes is able to switch between a 4-2-3-1 formation or the 3-5-2 that was so successful against Wolves.

Soucek was a doubt for the clash after picking up a head injury against Southampton but has recovered in time for the clash at Anfield.

The Hammers attacking impetus will come from Fornals on one side, Jarrod Bowen on the right and Manuel Lanzini in the No.10 position. Michail Antonio will once again lead the line as the Hammers lone striker after getting back to scoring ways in midweek.

West Ham XI: Fabianski; Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Soucek, Fornals, Lanzini, Vlasic, Fornals, Antonio

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.