All the team news and background for Wednesday night's visit of Liverpool to
the Boleyn Ground
29.01.2008
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Liverpool
Boleyn Ground
Wednesday 30 January
7.45pm
Referee: Alan Wiley
WHUTV - Live audio commentary plus delayed highlights
Team news
Tenth-placed West Ham United return to league action against Liverpool,
seven points ahead in sixth, on Wednesday having not played since the 1-1
draw at Manchester City on Sunday 20 January - when Carlton Cole scored an
eighth-minute overhead kick. It is thought the game will be too soon for
Danny Gabbidon and Craig Bellamy, despite a reserve-team run-out. Nolberto
Solano, who has not figured since a hamstring injury on 29 December, may
also just miss out.
Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton have trained after knee and back
problems respectively caused them to miss the City trip. Julien Faubert has
a slight calf strain and is doubtful, while Bobby Zamora continues to train
fully, on his way back to match fitness. John Pantsil and Henri Camara are
still on Africa Cup of Nations duty while, after a serious reserve-team
injury last week, James Collins (knee ligaments) has joined Scott Parker
(knee), Calum Davenport (neck), Kieron Dyer (leg), Nigel Quashie (foot) on
the long-term list - although Parker has returned to Chadwell Heath after a
period of rest.
Liverpool have played twice since the Hammers were last in action - a 2-2
draw at Aston Villa on 21 January before Saturday's 5-2 FA Cup fourth-round
win against non-league Havant and Waterlooville - with Yossi Benayoun
scoring a hat-trick in between a stunner from Lucas and a late fifth by
Peter Crouch. The Reds, who have sold Mohamed Sissoko to Juventus, left
Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina out but called upon Jamie Carragher, Steven
Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt as late substitutes.
While Benayoun will hope to figure against his former club, Javier
Mascherano will be denied the chance because of a one-match suspension
caused by his fifth caution of the season against Villa. Andriy Voronin has
been ruled out for six weeks with ankle ligament damage - joining Alvaro
Arbeloa (abdominal) and Daniel Agger (foot) on the sidelines. As a result of
their defensive injuries, Liverpool have made a move in the transfer window,
bringing in Slovakia centre-back Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg and
he made his first start at the weekend.
Last time out
West Ham United v Manchester City: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson,
McCartney, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Bowyer (Spector 90), Boa Morte
(Faubert 71), Cole
Subs not used: Wright, Collins, Reid
Liverpool v Havant and Waterlooville: Itandje, Finnan, Skrtel, Hyypia
(Carragher 84), Riise, Pennant, Mascherano (Gerrard 87), Lucas, Benayoun
(Kuyt 72), Crouch, Babel
Subs not used: Martin, Torres
Background
Curbishley's side are in fine league form, with six wins and five draws from
the last 14 fixtures. The only three reverses came against strong opposition
in the form of Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal. With ninth-placed Portsmouth
going to Manchester United on the same night, the Hammers will know there is
the possibility that a victory could move them to within a point of Pompey
with a game in hand. Blackburn Rovers are in eighth, five points in front of
Curbishley's men but have played two games more.
Depending on results, the Reds could jump to fourth place in the table with
a win - underlining the difficulties facing the hosts. West Ham United have
not played Liverpool this season as the away fixture was originally due to
be played in mid-August but was postponed because of the Reds' Champions
League commitments. It has now been fixed for 8pm at Anfield on Wednesday 5
March.
The teams' last met exactly a year ago, on Tuesday 30 January 2007, at the
Boleyn Ground. On that date, West Ham United were 18th in the top flight,
with just 20 points from their opening 25 games - 13 fewer than they have
from 22 games this time around. Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch goals early in
the second half put Liverpool on course for a 2-1 win, with on-loan Kepa
Blanco then scoring with his first touch in a claret and blue shirt.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Carroll, Spector, Dailly, Davenport, McCartney, Benayoun,
Quashie, Reo-Coker, Boa Morte, Cole (Zamora 73), Harewood (Kepa 76)
Subs not used: Green, Pantsil, Mullins
Manchester City: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Bellamy (Gonzalez
85), Gerrard, Alonso, Riise, Kuyt (Fowler 90), Crouch (Pennant 71)
Subs not used: Dudek, Zenden
The Hammers have still not lost in all ten league games this season when
they have taken the lead while three of the last six league games have seen
the side come from behind to win 2-1. George McCartney - who like Mark Noble
and Luis Boa Morte is on four cautions and would earn a one-match ban if
yellow-carded again before the trip to Fulham on 23 February - is bidding
to make his 29th appearance this season in all competitions. He is the only
West Ham United player who has featured in every game to date, starting in
each one.
In terms of the Premier League, only Green and Upson have played every
minute of the 22 matches. No other top-flight club still has two league
ever-presents while Upson, along with Stephen Kelly of Birmingham City, is
one of only two outfield players in the whole division to have achieved that
feat. Ashton, with six goals, five in the league, is the club's leading
scorer.
Torres is Liverpool's top marksman with 17 goals, eleven in the league. Xabi
Alonso and Carragher are both on four yellow cards. Only Reina has played
every minute of the top-flight campaign so far and no other player has
featured in each one of their games.
Liverpool have not lost to West Ham United in eleven games since Trevor
Sinclair's goal gave the Hammers a 1-0 home win on 27 November 1999 - a game
in which both Hyypia and Gerrard played the full 90 minutes, while Carragher
was an unused substitute. Anton Ferdinand's older brother Rio was in the
Hammers rearguard that day.
With Mascherano suspended, only Bellamy for West Ham United and Benayoun for
Liverpool could potentially be facing former their former clubs. Bellamy
spent a year at Anfield, making 42 league and cup appearances, scoring nine
times. Benayoun was at the Boleyn Ground for two years until last summer. He
played 72 times in all competitions and found the net on eight occasions.
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
30 January 2007 - West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
26 August 2006 - Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United
13 May 2005 - Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United, 3-1 on pens (FA Cup final)
26 April 2006 - West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
29 October 2005 - Liverpool 2-0 West Ham United
2 February 2003 - West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool
Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions): W 22, D 33, L 59
Barclays Premier League fixtures (all 7.45pm unless stated)
Wednesday 30 January
Chelsea v Reading
Derby County v Manchester City
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur (8pm)
Manchester United v Portsmouth (8pm)
General information
Please note this match is SOLD OUT. For general ticket information, click
here. For details of getting to Boleyn Ground, click here
Weather: The forecast is for a chilly evening, with the threat of rain. The
temperature is set to peak at around 6C.
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Curbs raring to go again - WHUFC
An enforced break has allowed the squad to rest ahead of a major meeting
with Liverpool on Wednesday night
29.01.2008
Alan Curbishley is looking forward to West Ham United getting back in action
against Liverpool on Wednesday night after a ten-day break.
The club has not played since the 1-1 league draw at Manchester City on
Sunday 20 January, but the manager admitted he wished the team had not had a
free weekend caused by the FA Cup elimination against the same opponents.
"We would rather have been in the cup," he said. "But with the squad we've
got at the moment and the same people playing most games it has given us a
bit of a rest. We're looking forward to it now."
Curbishley has seen both Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton return to full
training after knee and back problems respectively caused them to miss the
second City game, while Danny Gabbidon, Nolberto Solano, Craig Bellamy and
Bobby Zamora all continue to make good progress in full training. The
manager is unlikely to use any of them against Liverpool, while there is
also a worry over Julien Faubert, who has made three substitute appearances
since his return from a serious achilles injury.
"He has got a slight calf strain, which is something we were hoping to guard
against on his way back," explained Curbishley. "It's nothing serious, we
think he'll be OK for Saturday but he's probably a big doubt for Wednesday.
That was our big fear with bringing some of these players back and putting
them in the first team." The weekend trip to Wigan Athletic could also be
when Bellamy comes back into contention. "We did push Faubert a little bit,
so we'll wait and see on Craig, but he's got through the games and is doing
very well.
"Bobby Zamora trained most of last week and is training fully now. We're
really pleased that one or two are coming back. He trained really well on
Monday and he's got to do a pre-season stint in terms of getting some games
in. Nobby trained the last four days but he's been out for a month so it may
be a bit too soon for him on Wednesday. Gabbidon played in the reserves as
well on Wednesday but he's not 100 per cent either. He won't be risked."
The manager updated on James Collins, who hurt his knee a week ago in a
reserve-match at Portsmouth. "He may have cruciate damage but we'll have to
wait and see how severe it is," Curbishley said. "If it's something like
that he will be [out for the season]. It's just what's happened, one goes
out, one comes in. As we've done all season, we've managed just to get along
with it. We've come out of the two Man City games full of confidence and
looking forward."
That last City encounter saw Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte continue their
return to fitness in the first team and Curbishley is focused on the
positives. "That's the way things have been going all season. I've said to
them that perhaps we've turned the corner and we're on our way home now in
terms of the run-in. We can see an opportunity. If we can put some results
together we can start attacking the teams above, starting on Wednesday.
"We've got lots of players coming back: Faubert, Nobby, and I've got a
couple of kids in [Jack] Collison, [James] Tomkins who - why not? If the
opportunity arises, I'll give them a game. Freddie Sears was with us on
Sunday up at Man City - and we've got [Kyel] Reidy. I've got four kids who
have been in and around the squad for the last month or two and if I have
to, I'll put them in. Let's have a look at some of them."
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England call again for Tomkins - WHUFC
James Tomkins has an international date to look forward after two major
matches for West Ham United
29.01.2008
James Tomkins is looking forward to a big week with club and country.
The 19-year-old central defender may be the one to benefit from the
unfortunate knee ligament injury suffered by James Collins and the fact that
Danny Gabbidon is not quite match-fit yet after his recovery from a groin
problem. Tomkins came close to his senior-team debut when he made the
matchday 16 against Arsenal on New Year's Day and Alan Curbishley has
reiterated that he would not hesitate to use him in future.
"If the opportunity arises, I'll give them a game," said the West Ham United
manager when asked about the chances of Tomkins, who has been a regular of
late for the reserves, and midfield colleague Jack Collison breaking into
the first-team picture. As well as the Wednesday night visit of Liverpool,
West Ham United go to Wigan Athletic on Saturday. After that, Tomkins will
join up with the England Under-19 squad for a Tuesday night friendly against
Croatia in Swindon.
The match will be the perfect opportunity for England to prepare for the
next qualifying phase of their bid to reach this July's final European U19
Championship final round in Ukraine. The Young Lions will meet Poland,
Serbia and Belarus on 26, 28 and 31 May respectively with the group winners
from this Elite round going forward to the eight-team finals. Jordan Spence,
Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears have also been in the U19 frame this
season and all will have hopes of being involved as well.
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Pantsil enjoying Ghana experience - WHUFC
John Pantsil says the host nation are rising to the challenge of the 2008
Africa Cup of Nations
29.01.2008
John Pantsil has been speaking about Ghana's progress to the 2008 Africa Cup
of Nations quarter-finals.
The defender, who headed off to the finals earlier this month after an
impressive run of form for West Ham United, has played in all three Group A
games as the host nation comfortably won through to a last-eight meeting
against Nigeria next Sunday. "As we all know, the team is getting better
gradually," Pantsil told the Ghana FA website.
"Each game the team improves, so we have to keep our heads up and continue
training hard and keeping the team spirit high. We are ready for any team
which will come our way and we will beat any team that comes." Pantsil has
also overcome the dizziness which he suffered immediately after the 2-1
opening day win against Guinea and led to hospital tests.
Despite their perfect progress, as hosts of the 16-nation tournament, the
Black Stars have been under pressure to add flair to their play, especially
after a gritty 1-0 win against Namibia last Thursday. They more than did
that on Monday with an impressive 2-0 success against Morocco, and Pantsil
said the players were doing their all to keep the supporters on side.
"Everyone is a professional and we know what we have to do on the pitch. In
terms of football, things happen like that sometimes. We are happy that
we've got the fans back. They want us to do more but we've promised them
that we would make it. We are going to make them happy."
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West Ham v Liverpool - BBC
Striker Dean Ashton (back) and winger Matthew Etherington (knee) return to
the West Ham squad but winger Julian Faubert (calf) is doubtful.
Craig Bellamy (stomach), Bobby Zamora (knee), Nolberto Solano (hamstring)
and Danny Gabbidon (groin) have resumed training but are unlikely to feature
Liverpool welcome Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher, Fernando
Torres and Xabi Alonso back to the squad. The quintet return after being
rested for the Havant and Waterlooville game.
West Ham (from): Green, Wright, Neill, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney,
Bowyer, Faubert, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Etherington, Boa Morte, Reid,
Ashton, Cole, Tomkins, Collison.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise,
Aurelio, Pennant, Babel, Alonso, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kuyt,
Torres, Crouch, Kewell, Itandje.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Having established a solid mid-table platform with one loss in six Premier
League matches, West Ham take on draw specialists Liverpool.
The Merseysiders play their first Premier League match of the season in
London, and take to the field for the first time since trailing Havant &
Waterlooville twice in the FA Cup, before winning their home fourth round
tie 5-2.
Rafa Benitez' side may be unbeaten in six league outings, but the last four
have ended all-square and left them scrapping for a top four Champions
League berth.
West Ham have lost three against the "Big Four" so far this season, and won
one (against Manchester United).
Liverpool are unbeaten in 10 top-flight contests with West Ham, winning the
last six.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of the current round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Lost only three of the last 14 Premier League matches; against Chelsea
(a), Everton (h) and Arsenal (a).
2. Their 22 league games have yielded 49 goals (28 for, 21 against); at 2.23
it's the lowest goals per game average in the highest league.
3. Let in 21 goals in their 22 Premier League fixtures; only the 'Big Four'
clubs have conceded fewer.
4. Not lost a league game in which they scored first; won six and drawn four
of 10.
5. One of five clubs not shown a red card in Premier League competition so
far this season.
6. All four penalties awarded against them in the Premier League have been
missed.
7. Conceded one goal in each of five of the last six league games, and let
in two in the other game. Not kept a clean sheet in seven, since the 0-1
away win over Blackburn on 9 December.
8. Lost one of the last seven home league games, and won the last two at
Upton Park against Manchester United and Fulham.
9. Kept just one clean sheet in home Premier League matches; 3-0 against
Middlesbrough on 15 September.
10. Away to Wigan after this, and home to Birmingham. Then the Eastenders go
to the West End to play Fulham, before Chelsea visit Upton Park and the
reverse fixture at Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of the current round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Undefeated in nine in all competitions; four wins, five draws.
2. On the joint longest sequence of draws in this Premier League season of
four; Fulham drew all four of their matches in September.
3. Ended level with Manchester City (a), Wigan (h), Middlesbrough (a) and
Aston Villa (h).
4. Lost just two Premier League games; only Arsenal have been beaten less
often (once). Also, conceded 16 Premier League goals at one every 124
minutes (two hours four minutes); only Manchester United have a tighter
defence (11 goals conceded).
5. The Premier League's draw specialists; 10 of 22.
6. Need a victory to pass 250 Premier League points under Rafael Benitez; on
248 at present.
7. Picked up 27 cards in Premier League competition (all yellow); only
Everton have a similar low total, but theirs is comprised of three red and
24 yellow.
8. Their 22 matches have yielded 53 goals (37 for, 16 against); only West
Ham's (49) and Chelsea's (52) matches have produced fewer goals.
9. Hold the third strongest away record in the Premier League (22 points),
behind Chelsea (25) and Arsenal (22), and boast the meanest defence away
from home; conceded just seven goals in 11 games on their Premier League
travels.
10. A home game against Sunderland follows this, before the big match-up
against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Then it's the FA Cup fifth round clash
with Barnsley of the Championship at Anfield and the Champions League match,
home to Inter Milan.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Dean ASHTON is West Ham's top scorer with six goals.
ASHTON is also the Hammers' top Premier League marksmen with five.
The club's Premier League goalscorers list is predominately comprised of
English players (eight of 11).
Matthew UPSON and Robert GREEN are the only remaining players to have been
on the field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League
matches this season. West Ham are the only club to have as many as two
genuine ever-presents remaining in this Premier League campaign.
Lee BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds,
Newcastle and West Ham).
Nol SOLANO needs a hat-trick to total 50 Premier League goals (Newcastle,
Aston Villa and West Ham).
If selected:-
Matthew ETHERINGTON will be making their 150th league appearances for the
Hammers, and 300th club career appearance (Peterborough, Tottenham, Bradford
City and West Ham).
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and
West Ham).
Craig BELLAMY will be facing a former club. The 28 year old Wales
international made 42 appearances (27 in the league) and scored nine goals
(seven league) for Liverpool between June 2006 and his £7.5m move to Upton
Park in July last year.
LIVERPOOL
Fernando TORRES is Liverpool's top scorer with 17 goals, and their leading
marksman in the Premier League with 11.
Goalkeeper Jose REINA is the only remaining player to have been on the field
for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this
season.
REINA leads the race for the Barclays Golden Glove with Edwin VAN DER SAR of
Manchester United and David JAMES of Portsmouth. They have all kept 10 clean
sheets.
If selected:-
Peter CROUCH will be playing on his 27th birthday.
Yossi BENAYOUN will be facing a former club. The 27 year old Israel
international made 72 appearances (63 in the league) and scored eight league
goals in two seasons with West Ham from July 2005 before his move to
Anfield.
Javier MASCHERANO will also be facing the club he controversially played for
last season. The 23 year old Argentine international made seven appearances
(five in the league) in five months with the Hammers before his move to
Liverpool just under a year ago.
If on the field from the outset:-
Harry KEWELL will be making his 250th career league start (Leeds and
Liverpool).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hammers have not experienced a home League win over Liverpool since the
1-0 Premier League triumph on 27 November 1999, when Trevor Sinclair scored
the only goal of the game.
This is the 101st league fixture between these clubs.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 20 wins, Liverpool 52, Draws 28
Prem: West Ham 4 wins, Liverpool 14, Draws 6
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 17 wins, Liverpool 18, Draws 15
Prem: West Ham 4 wins, Liverpool 5, Draws 3
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
30 January 2007 - Ref: Martin Atkinson
West Ham scorer: Kepa 77
Liverpool scorers: Kuyt 46, Crouch 53
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
Premier League referees' table
Alan Wiley's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Neill targets top four - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 29th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Lucas Neill has backed Freddie Ljungberg's recent claim that a top four
finish is still within reach. Former Arsenal star Ljungberg said last week
that a Champions League place was a possibility given United's recent form.
Meanwhile club captain Neill, speaking in his Captain's Blog on whufc.com
today added weight to Ljungberg's optimism when he said: "I said before [the
Manchester City match] it was imperative we didn't lose. The reason for this
is that the mentality within this squad is now gearing itself for a very
high finish. "We all believe that a fourth-place finish is still a genuine
possibility. We have all the teams around us still to play. "It is vital now
that we win as many games as possible but especially against the teams that
are all challenging for fourth, starting this week with Liverpool."
The Hammers welcome back Dean Ashton and Matthew Etherington for the visit
of Liverpool but are unlikely to risk Craig Bellamy, Danny Gabbidon or Nobby
Solano - all of whom have recently recovered from injury. Julien Faubert -
who has made brief appearances in the last three fixtures - is also set to
miss out after experiencing 'tight calves'. Former Hammer Javier Mascherano
is suspended, whilst Yossi Benayoun - who hit a hat-trick against
non-leaguers Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup at the weekend - is likely
to make his first appearance at the Boleyn Ground for his new club.
* A recent poll on KUMB saw 63% of voters say that Ljungberg was right to
say the club were aiming for a top four finish, whilst just under a third -
31% - thought that it was an unrealistic target.
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West Ham Utd v Liverpool - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 29th January 2008
By: Matthew Coker
After a weekend's grace from any West Ham activity, we return to action,
fully focused on the Premier League. To that end, the fixture list lines us
up with Liverpool, in a Wednesday night game under the Boleyn lights, kick
off time being 7.45pm.
Our opponents are the team that most remind me of Susan Storm, as they are
the most Invisible of the Fantastic Four. The do, generally, finish in the
league's pre-eminent quartet, but a genuine Scouse title challenge happens
about as often as a Chris Moyles gym session.
Their reputation has been cemented by historical dominance of both domestic
and European football in the 70s and 80s and also by their record in the
European Cup/Champions League competition (if they only remind us about
their European glory five times on Wednesday night, we can count ourselves
lucky) but they are the only of the so called big four to have never won the
Premier League.
The class of 2007/08 is not going to be one to deliver any league
championships back to Anfield. They currently sit in sixth place in the
league, fourteen points adrift of top side Manchester United, though the gap
between them and fourth place Everton is only two points (and they have the
same game in hand as us).
This was despite a promising start to the season, at least where points were
concerned, as they managed to avoid their usual slow start and went
undefeated until early December. However the Christmas period has seen them
fall further behind their title and Champions League qualification rivals
and they are on the back of a run of four consecutive league draws against
less than auspicious opposition including Wigan and Middlesbrough.
Away form has be fairly good this campaign; they have registered six wins
from eleven and only one defeat, a surprise 3-1 reverse at the Madjeski.
They are the side that has conceded the fewest away goals in the league so
far (just seven) but they are yet to face any of the top three sides away on
the road yet and victories, aside from the wins at Everton and Villa, have
come against weaker sides namely Wigan, Bolton, Derby and Sunderland.
There are several encouraging factors that we can look at when going into
this game. Firstly, this is not a side brimming with confidence, certainly
not one that has got into the habit of killing games off. Even relatively
poor teams such as Wigan and Derby have shown that you can get back into
games against them.
There have been several factors off the field that have aided their fragile
state of mind. The ongoing saga with the now unpopular owners and the
manager and the poor state of their relationship may have influenced the
players to a degree. Although footballers generally give the impression that
as long as they are paid they don't care who they play for (and bearing in
mind we have all seen the payslip of one of Liverpool's worst performers
this season, John Arne Riise, we know they are getting paid) but it is sure
to cause doubt as to Rafa's long term prospects and must have some effect on
his ability to focus on the job.
Staying off the pitch, there is a correlation between the downturn in form
and the departure of Pako Ayesteran from Rafa's backroom staff. A successful
fitness coach, who had worked with Rafa in Spain, he did much of the work on
the training field with the players and his departure would have changed the
level of communication between players and a manager who is well known for
keeping footballers at arms length.
Finally, it must be slightly unsettling for the first team squad to know
that every time they head off to an away game there is the possibility of
some little Everton scally breaking into your mock Tudor mansion and having
it away with your cinema screen size telly. The results of all this angst
are there to see on the pitch.
There have been several players in the Liverpool side that have kept the
standards up. The most concerning for us is Fernando Torres, bought in the
summer for £20m, though his 11 league goals to date suggest he may be good
value for it. The only other player to notch up a decent number of strikes
is Steven Gerrard, currently on 7 Premier League finishes, though his form
has varied from match winning to non-existent at various parts of the
season. There are debates going on as to his best position; injury to Xabi
Alonso has meant he has played mostly in the centre though there is a strong
school of thought for putting him on the right when the Spaniard has fully
recovered.
Defensively the side is strong, underpinned by the excellent Jose Reina and
with Jamie Carragher in his usual rock-like form. They have undoubtedly
missed Daniel Agger this season, Sami Hyppia not being the ideal partner to
Carragher as the two lack pace which would sit nicely with Craig Bellamy
resuming fitness for this one. Fabio Aurealio looked as though he had just
returned from injury against Villa, having just returned from injury. We
will also benefit from Alvaro Arbeloa missing this one (with an injury)
meaning Matty will be up against a slightly out of form Steve Finnan.
Overall though, Liverpool's problems do not sit along the back line.
There are a couple of claret and blue connections in the midfield starting
with one of the squad players we have currently on loan at Anfield.
Argentinian Javier Mascherano has been warmly welcomed by the Mickeys who
are impressed enough with his holding midfield skills and distribution to
warrant paying £17m for him in the summer. By my reckoning this makes the
man who kept him out of our first team, Hayden Mullins, worth at least £20m
- but we will be spared such expense in the middle of the park as
Mascherano's run of not being able to get a game at the Boleyn continues as
he is suspended. The most likely deputy will be Xabi Alonso, though Lucas
Leiva is an outside bet to see some action.
Yossi Benayoun should start on the right hand side of midfield on his return
from having left Upton Park in the summer. His recent run in the Liverpool
side has started to convince the fans that he is a capable player, though
Jermaine Pennant is pushing him for a starting place.
The left side of midfield is a problem for our opponents as neither Harry
Kewell or John Arne Riise has been much cop in the role this season. This
should leave a relatively quiet game for Lucas Neill, who of course chose
the glamour of East London over the chance to work in the City of Culture
last January.
Beyond Torres up front there is not too much to concern us. Peter Crouch is
probably the next best striker but he has not been used much this season,
Rafa's system-over-players philosophy has meant he has tended to shy away
from two big men up front. He tends to favour Dirk Kuyt who works hard but
looks incapable of scoring or, occasionally, Andriy Voronin who looks out of
his depth at this level.
The other option is Ryan Babel who the club spent big on in the summer,
though they do seem to have invested in his future prospects rather than on
his immediate ability. Babel is a pacy striker though due perhaps to his
inexperience and lack of composure up front (as well as his blistering pace)
has found himself used more as a winger than as a front man. The fans hope
that he will ultimately prove to be the strike partner to Torres but he
needs to convince Benitez that is the case.
"We are looking forward to the games ahead and we are looking to get into
the top six or eight"
– Curbs looks onwards and upwards.
With us no longer having to make a choice between league and any cup, the
finishing position is now the measure of this season's success or otherwise.
The rest of February has the potential for putting some real points on the
table and getting something against Liverpool would, hopefully be the
catalyst for a decent run.
I'm going to put us down for a draw and with both defences in fine form, I
suspect a 0-0 is on the cards.
Enjoy the game.
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Curbs happy with owners - SSN
West Ham boss believes current arrangement suits all parties
Last updated: 29th January 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is happy with his new relationship with the
club's foreign owners. The club was brought last season by a consortium set
up by Icelandic banker Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. Eggert Magnusson was the
front-man but he has now stood aside, leaving Curbishley happy with his new,
more remote arrangement with Gudmundsson, which he believes suits both
parties. His comments come ahead of Wednesday evening's Premier League clash
with Liverpool at Upton Park. While there has been disquiet concerning the
foreign ownership at Liverpool, Curbishley believes the current arrangement
at Upton Park is harmonious. He said: "When Eggert was here we had constant
dialogue. Since it's changed I've not had that but we speak often and he has
left me to get on with it, which I'm quite happy about. "There is also a bit
of turmoil in his world with the banks but I think he's quite happy with how
things are going here."
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Curbs questions Rafa treatment - SSN
Hammers manager wary of foreign investment
By James Dall Last updated: 29th January 2008
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has questioned the actions of
Liverpool's owners. Curbishley's comments follow ongoing uncertainty
surrounding Rafa Benitez's position in charge at Anfield. Reds co-owner Tom
Hicks raised further doubts over Benitez's long-term future at Liverpool by
revealing that he and George Gillett had held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann
about possibly replacing the Spaniard. Benitez has since played down reports
of a rift, and voiced his confidence at staying on as Liverpool boss for at
least another year. And while Curbishley is sure Benitez will remain as
Liverpool manager, he is unsure if the growing investment from abroad is
having a positive effect on the game. He told Sky Sports News: "What is
happening now - in the atmosphere we have got in the Premier League with new
owners appearing every month - is that perhaps they are not really up on the
way football is and the traditions, and the way to perhaps conduct yourself.
"I am sure they are learning. A loose comment here and a loose comment there
can make a big difference. "But I think Liverpool do their talking on the
pitch. If you look at the club, I know the Premier League has been out of
reach but they have won everything else. "Over the years they have always
backed their manager - whoever it may be - and I am sure they are going to
back Rafa. "Liverpool are Liverpool, and I think football is not the same
business vehicle as some of the chairmen have been used to - and they are
going to have to learn that."
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West Ham v Liverpool: Preview - Soccernet
Striker Dean Ashton (back) and winger Matthew Etherington (knee) have been
passed fit and return to the West Ham squad for Wednesday night's visit of
Liverpool but winger Julian Faubert (calf) is again doubtful. Craig Bellamy
(stomach), Bobby Zamora (knee), Nolberto Solano (hamstring) and Danny
Gabbidon (groin) have resumed training but are unlikely to feature and James
Collins (knee) appears to be out for the rest of the season, with Scott
Parker (knee), Kieron Dyer (leg), Nigel Quashie (foot) and Calum Davenport
(neck) also unavailable. However, John Pantsil and Henri Camara remain
absent on international duty as they represent their respective countries in
the African Nations Cup. West Ham manager Alan Curbishley believes the
visitors' American owners have harmed the club's chances of silverware by
their inability to keep quiet off the pitch. Curbishley admitted he had been
astonished by the constant stream of stories emanating from Anfield this
season, including the revelation that Jurgen Klinsmann had been approached
about succeeding the Spaniard. Speculation about a buy-out and reports that
co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have differing ideas about how the
club should be run have also helped turn the current campaign into a soap
opera. ``When I played it was the players that were written about. Then it
changed to the managers and now it's the chairmen more than anyone else.
It's an interesting circle,'' said Curbishley. ``But if the relationship
between the manager and chairman isn't strong then it won't work. I played
against the great Liverpool sides. They won the games, won everything and
nothing else ever came out of the club. ``It was always a club that got on
with things in-house but what's happening now is stories about this and that
and it's distracting for the manager and players.''
Liverpool will have all their star players back for Wednesday's Barclays
Premier League game at West Ham. Skipper Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina, Jamie
Carragher, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso were all out of the starting
line-up for Saturday's FA Cup win over Havant & Waterlooville. Reina and
Alonso were not even in the squad. But with Andriy Voronin and Daniel Agger
the only long-term absentees, boss Rafael Benitez will field a far stronger
side than he did against the minnows from the Blue Square Southern
Conference. Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Benitez has expressed his
confidence in the club will completing the permanent transfer of Javier
Mascherano as they prepare for their Premier League clash against his
former. With Mohamed Sissoko having moved to Juventus today for £8.2million,
Benitez has the finance available to rid the Argentinian of the third-party
ownership that has dogged him and Tevez since they arrived in English
football. The Premier League will have a new rule in place soon to outlaw
such agreements, while Liverpool have the funds to make a sizeable
down-payment on the midfield player who is valued at £17million by his
owners MSI group. Benitez said: ``Rick Parry (Liverpool chief executive) is
working on the deal. He has also concluded the deal for Sissoko to go to
Juventus. ``That will be good for him (Sissoko), he wanted to play and
needed to play. But we have enough players in this position. ``We have
Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano and now Lucas for the midfield roles, and that
made it hard for Momo to play regularly. ``Momo is a fantastic professional
and a nice boy and I feel this was the right outcome for us and him. Now we
are working hard to complete the Mascherano deal, and I believe that will
happen.''
Benitez added: ``I am confident it will be tied up soon. Sissoko has gone
and we are closer to a deal for Javier. ``We are working very hard to
achieve that before the window shuts. I hope for something positive in the
next 48 hours. Javier has made it very clear he wants to stay here and I
believe he will.''
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Rafa reveals Reds are close to Mascherano deal - Soccernet
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident the club will complete the
permanent transfer of Javier Mascherano as they prepare for their Premier
League clash against his former club West Ham. The timing of Benitez's
comments will not be lost on fans of both clubs, particularly the Hammers,
who were thrown into crisis last season over the contract arrangements that
brought Mascherano and Carlos Tevez to the Boleyn Ground. Mascherano's loan
switch to Anfield last January triggered the uproar that almost cost West
Ham their Premier League status. With Mohamed Sissoko having moved to
Juventus today for £8.2million, Benitez has the finance available to rid the
Argentinian of the third-party ownership that has dogged him and Tevez since
they arrived in English football. The Premier League will have a new rule in
place soon to outlaw such agreements, while Liverpool have the funds to make
a sizeable down-payment on the midfield player who is valued at £17million
by his owners MSI group. Publicly Benitez claims there is no intense hurry
over the deal because Mascherano's loan does not end until the summer. But
after co-owner Tom Hicks agreed to the outlay this week Benitez is keen to
ward off interest from other clubs and ensure the transfer is tied up as
quickly as possible. Benitez said: 'Rick Parry (Liverpool chief executive)
is working on the deal. He has also concluded the deal for Sissoko to go to
Juventus. 'That will be good for him (Sissoko), he wanted to play and needed
to play. But we have enough players in this position. 'We have Gerrard,
Alonso, Mascherano and now Lucas for the midfield roles, and that made it
hard for Momo to play regularly. 'Momo is a fantastic professional and a
nice boy and I feel this was the right outcome for us and him. Now we are
working hard to complete the Mascherano deal, and I believe that will
happen.' Benitez added: 'I am confident it will be tied up soon. Sissoko has
gone and we are closer to a deal for Javier. 'We are working very hard to
achieve that before the window shuts. I hope for something positive in the
next 48 hours. Javier has made it very clear he wants to stay here and I
believe he will. 'But we do not need to do anything quickly - he is our loan
player until the summer, and it could all be sorted out then. 'We have two
days, and if we can finish everything now it will be perfect. He wants to
stay. 'The fee we have got for Momo can certainly help as we try to complete
the deal.'
Benitez has also called on his side put together a winning streak with his
team having not won a league game since Boxing Day. A poor run of
disappointing displays that has seen them sink to sixth in the table, seven
points ahead of the Hammers. Benitez will bring back Steven Gerrard, Jose
Reina, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso - none of whom
started in the 5-2 FA Cup win over Havant and Waterlooville. He said: 'As
far as our recovery following the Havant cup tie is concerned, I accept that
I needed to say some things at half-time to ensure that were much better, we
now have to improve in the league too. 'We must now start winning matches,
we have West Ham and Sunderland before we go to Chelsea and we need six
points ahead of that. 'It is difficult to explain why we have not been
getting the results, but we have been creating the chances. We just need to
be more precise in our finishing and things will be OK. 'What we need now is
confidence. We had the players capable of scoring and winning games at in
the first half of the season when were unbeaten in the league until
December, we were doing everything very well. 'We still believe we are best
placed to finish fourth. We are not happy that it has become difficult. But
we have one game in hand and we must get back to fourth and then try to
catch the third-placed team.'
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Alan Curbishley: Unrest will cost Liverpool - Telegraph
By James Masters
Last Updated: 2:03am GMT 30/01/2008
Alan Curbishley believes the actions of Liverpool owners George Gillett and
Tom Hicks have placed Liverpool's distinguished history and tradition in
peril.
The West Ham manager, whose side entertain Liverpool at Upton Park tonight,
said that the boardroom unrest at Anfield had damaged the chances of Rafa
Benitez's side winning the Premier League. Earlier this month Hicks added to
the uncertainty over Benitez's future by revealing that Jurgen Klinsmann had
been approached about taking over as manager. In contrast, Curbishley enjoys
a healthy relationship with his chairman, Icelandic businessman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, and has urged the American duo to change their ways if they
want Liverpool to be successful. "There are lots of things chairmen of clubs
need to realise," Curbishley said. "They need to understand the tradition
and the history - even if it's all new to them. They may think it's normal
business rules, but football is different. "It's not like any other
business, it has different rules. One thing you have to do is adhere to the
history and tradition of the club and I think at West Ham we've managed to
do that. "I speak with the chairman on the phone and he lets me get on with
my job, just like I did under Richard Murray at Charlton, and I'm happy with
that."
West Ham's stability under the Icelandic billionaire is a major contrast to
the upheaval at Liverpool and Curbishley says that the turmoil engulfing
Anfield has severely hindered Benitez's title hopes. "Liverpool are a top
side," Curbishley said. "The only thing which is perhaps happening at
Anfield is there's lots of stuff coming out. "They've always been a club
which has got on with it and everything has been in-house, so nothing has
really come out of the club. But now there are stories about this, stories
about that, and I suppose it's distracting for the manager and the players.
"Rafa has only been there a few years and it takes time, whatever we say
about the Premier League. They've won everything else and we shouldn't
forget that. "I played against the great Liverpool sides and they just got
on with it and won things, and nothing really came out of the club. We're in
a different world now."
West Ham have failed to beat Liverpool in their previous 11 meetings, but
with Liverpool already 14 points behind league leaders Manchester United,
Curbishley believes his team have every chance of victory. "The nucleus of
the Liverpool team is there but they've drawn too many to make a challenge
to the top two," he added. "This time we'll have an opportunity against a
top-four side and I'm sure if we attack it the right way we'll give
ourselves a chance."
Benitez has acknowledged that Liverpool need to be more "ruthless" if they
are to secure a Champions League place. They are seeking their first win in
five Premier League games since defeating bottom club Derby County 2-1 on
Boxing Day. "We could have won our last four league games but we didn't
because we didn't score when we had a chance," said Benitez. The Spaniard is
expected to recall Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher to
his starting line-up after leaving them on the substitutes' bench for
Saturday's nervous FA Cup win over non-League side Havant and Waterlooville.
Javier Mascherano is suspended but Benitez is confident the Argentina
midfielder, whose future has been the subject of much speculation, will
finally complete a £17 million permanent move to Liverpool before the end of
the week.
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Curbishley excited by next wave of West Ham kids
tribalfooball.com - January 29, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is excited by the youngsters coming
through Tony Carr's academy set up. He told whufc.com: "We've got lots of
players coming back: Faubert, Nobby, and I've got a couple of kids in [Jack]
Collison, [James] Tomkins who - why not? If the opportunity arises, I'll
give them a game. "Freddie Sears was with us on Sunday up at Man City - and
we've got [Kyel] Reidy. I've got four kids who have been in and around the
squad for the last month or two and if I have to, I'll put them in. Let's
have a look at some of them."
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West Ham boss Curbishley happy with Gudmundsson relationship
tribalfooball.com - January 29, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley insists he has a good relationship with
chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. Front-man Eggert Magnusson may no longer be
at the helm but Curbishley was happy with his new, more remote arrangement
with Gudmundsson. He said: "When Eggert was here we had constant dialogue.
Since its changed I've not had that but we speak often and he has left me to
get on with it, which I'm quite happy about. "There is also a bit of turmoil
in his world with the banks but I think he's quite happy with how things are
going here."
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