Hammers show desire with Anfield point
WHUFC.com
Liverpool 2-2 West Ham United
52 years. 52 years the Hammers waited for three points on the Red half of
Merseyside. At one point on Sunday, it looked as though it would be two
victories there in 451 days. As when Dimitri Payet equalised with a
trademark free-kick and Michail Antonio poked home – not with his head – to
lead, it was time to dream for the east Londoners packed into Anfield during
a superb first half performance. Four games unbeaten against the Reds last
season, the Hammers put themselves in prime position to make it five in
total. Liverpool, looking the part in 2016/17 under the guidance of
charismatic boss Jurgen Klopp, had other ideas. Hopes dashed through Divock
Origi's equaliser, but not everything lost for West Ham; a crucial point
picked up at what has not been a happy hunting ground over the years.
For all the delight the first half provided the away end filled with almost
3,000 happy Hammers, the clash started in the worst possible fashion for
Slaven Bilic's men. Sadio Mane and Divock Origi combined with frightening
pace before the former found Lallana inside the box, who finished past
Darren Randolph with aplomb on the turn after just five minutes. Time for
West Ham to step up. And step up they did. Peppering Loris Karius' goal with
attempts, the visitors began to turn it on as they had here last season.
First Manuel Lanzini went close on the volley, before Antonio was denied a
quick equaliser on eight minutes. Still behind, inspiration was needed. And
as the football world knows by now, nothing provides the Hammers with more
inspiration than a free-kick within shooting distance. There's only one man
for the job. A pat on the back for the superb Pedro Obiang, drawing the foul
from Lallana, and an opportunity for Payet to draw West Ham level.
Predictably, he did just that. Whip, precision, pace; Karius' dive
despairing, the Frenchman's celebration trademark. Cresswell, back in his
hometown, was next to try from range, before Roberto Firmino dragged one
wide for the hosts. Six minutes from half time stalemate at Anfield;
encouraging, but not satisfying enough for West Ham. Seemingly from nowhere,
excitement was about to transform into ecstasy behind the goal. Back in the
starting XI, Havard Nordtveit provided the assist, clipping a long ball over
the top of the Reds' defence into the path of Antonio – with the help of
Jordan Henderson's head – who coolly slotted home.
No win here in 52 years – surely it couldn't be London buses for the
Hammers? The hosts were sure to cast doubt on that within three minutes of
the restart, however. Disappointment and frustration for BIlic's side –
though for nobody more than Darren Randolph – as Origi tapped in the
Irishman's spilled catch.
If he wanted a chance to atone for his error, Randolph couldn't have hoped
for much better with 20 minutes remaining. World class, no two words better
describing the 29-year-old's save from Henderson's perfectly-placed strike.
Backs to the wall. Wijnaldum twice went close, but the visitors stood
strong, Nordtveit in particular throwing himself at everything that came his
way. Angelo Ogbonna, Pedro Obiang, Michail Antonio; the trio having never
lost against Liverpool were not about to throw this away now. Desire,
passion and commitment; all were present in abundance. Liverpool left
frustrated, West Ham returning to the capital with something to show for
their efforts as the Premier League clash finished 2-2.
Liverpool: Karius, Clyne, Wijnaldum, Lovren (Klaven 46), Milner, Firmino,
Henderson, Mane, Lallana, Origi, Matip.
Subs not used: Mignolet, Moreno, Lucas, Ejaria, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold.
Goals: Lallana 5, Origi 48
Bookings: Firmino 53, Mane 76
West Ham United: Randolph, Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang,
Lanzini (Fernandes 68), Noble, Antonio, Ayew (Carroll 62), Payet.
Subs not used: Adrian, Fletcher, Quina, Browne, Pike.
Goals: Payet 27, Antonio 39
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Antonio – We showed our character
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio said that the Hammers showed their grit, determination and
character with a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield
The Hammers' top scorer grabbed the visitors' second goal to give them the
lead on Merseyside
Bilic's men were forced to battle hard after Divock Origi's equaliser
Determination, grit and character; Michail Antonio believes the Hammers
showed all three qualities in abundance at Anfield as his side picked up a
point in a 2-2 draw. Top scorer Antonio grabbed West Ham's second on
Merseyside, poking past goalkeeper Loris Karius to give the visitors the
lead after Dimitri Payet had beautifully cancelled out Adam Lallana's opener
with a free-kick. After Divock Origi levelled things up again three minutes
into the second period, Slaven Bilic's side were forced to battle hard to
earn their share of the spoils, something Antonio was proud of on Sunday. He
said: "We showed that we've got determination, grit and we showed what
happens in the past doesn't affect us and we can move on. It's a great point
away. "We just want to keep pushing on and build on this now. We need to
keep moving, building and in the week hopefully get the three points and
distance ourselves from the bottom three. "It's a massive show of character.
It shows that we can do it, it shows that we've got the players to do it and
now we just have to do it."
The 26-year-old's seventh of the season – the first not with his head – came
in the 39th minute as he raced clear and left Karius with no chance after
Havard Nordtveit's long ball. And the midfielder, being deployed as the most
advanced Hammer for much of the first half, showed his delight as he
performed one of his much-loved celebrations. "It was the running man
celebration today," he explained. "I was sticking with the nineties theme!
"I was thinking about heading it as I was going through! No, it had a nice
bounce and I could get one with my feet. I take them as they come. "I got
one with my feet and hopefully I can keep doing it. The point is massive for
us. "It's one of those things where we're playing week in, week out to move
forward and get further away from the situation we're in now."
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Bilic takes pride in Liverpool draw
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic happy with 2-2 Premier League draw at Liverpool
Hammers fell behind, led, were pegged back and held on to secure a point
Manager wants his team to build on result in home games with Burnley and
Hull
Slaven Bilic hailed West Ham United's resilience and togetherness in
securing a deserved 2-2 Premier League draw at Liverpool. The Hammers went
to Anfield without eleven senior players and on the back of a 5-1 home
defeat by Arsenal, and their confidence took a further dent when Adam
Lallana slotted the Reds into a fourth-minute lead. However, a trademark
Dimitri Payet free-kick and Michail Antonio's opportunistic strike had
Bilic's side in front by half-time. Divock Origi took advantage of a Darren
Randolph error to level three minutes into the second half, but the Hammers
produced a fine rearguard action to hold on and take a very hard-earned
point back to east London. "The players deserve a lot of credit, of course,"
said the manager. "We conceded an early goal so it was a bad start to the
game for us, but after that in the first half we definitely showed a great
reaction and were good on the ball and created chances. "Of course we had to
defend, but I'm really happy with the way we reacted after the goal. "In the
second half we were expecting Liverpool to move forward, but I also expected
us to be better with the ball, which we weren't. However, we showed
compactness and resilience and we got a point, which was a real achievement
for us. "We lost 5-1 at home against Arsenal, then conceded an early goal
here and our confidence dropped even more, but as I said, we showed
character first of all, teamwork and togetherness and we got a really good
result."
Bilic was also supportive of his goalkeeper, who shrugged off his mistake to
make a truly world-class save to keep out Jordan Henderson's curling effort,
which was destined for the top corner. "That's the nature of their job," he
observed. "When they make a mistake like Randy did for the second one, it
can be difficult, but apart from that he was solid, he was really good and
made a couple of great saves, so I'm happy with him."
The challenge for West Ham now is to build on Sunday's draw by beating
newly-promoted Burnley and Hull City at London Stadium this coming week.
Both the Clarets and the Tigers secured their own impressive results at the
weekend – Burnley beating AFC Bournemouth and Hull drawing with Crystal
Palace – so Bilic knows the Hammers will not be able to take their
collective foot off the pedal. "We knew that after these four games we had a
couple of games at home against Burnley and against Hull, which we have to
win, basically," he concluded. "Hopefully we're going to win them and while
it isn't going to change our season, it will help us move up the table and
be in a much better situation. "They will be very hard games, of course,
where we have to show our quality first of all, and our togetherness and
everything. They will be difficult games, but I'm sure we're going to be
ready for Burnley."
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Pike confident of turnaround in form
WHUFC.com
Alex Pike is confident things will turn around for West Ham United PL2
The Hammers are winless in four matches
They host Swansea City at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (7pm) on Monday
Alex Pike says everyone involved with West Ham United PL2 is working hard to
improve their current form, which has seen them go winless in four matches.
The Hammers have endured a frustrating few weeks, losing consecutive league
matches and going winless since the end of October, but Pike is confidence a
turnaround is on the horizon. With just two games left before the Christmas
break, the 19-year-old understands the need for maximum points in their next
two fixtures. "The spirit is alright. These things happen like the first
team have found out this year, teams hit a bit of bad form. The two losses
aren't ideal but everyone has been working hard to rectify it," he said.
"When you've shown that you can do it, it's just a matter of getting back to
that form. Working hard on the training pitch means you can get the bad
things out of the way and hopefully this week we can bounce back and get a
win."
The Hammers entertain Premier League 2 leaders Swansea City on Monday
evening (7pm kick-off) with the aim of closing the gap on the league's
pacesetters.
Swansea have won five in a row in the league and visit the Chigwell
Construction Stadium in fine form, but Pike is confident the Hammers can
resurrect their own form and achieve a positive result. "Any game in this
league, you never know what to expect because players can push onto the
first team or they might have a cup game coming up," he added. "So you never
know but we've got to expect a hard game as we always do. Hopefully we can
live up to the challenge and do well.
"We've got a strong team at the moment and not too many injuries either. So
hopefully we can get two wins in the next two games and go into Christmas
and enjoy the break a little bit more. It's always better to go into the
break with wins."
West Ham United PL2's match with Swansea City kicks off at 7pm from Dagenham
and Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium on Monday. Admission is free
for season ticket holders – otherwise, it's £5 for adults and £3 for
children.
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Liverpool 2-2 West Ham United
By Jamie Strickland
BBC Sport
Goals by Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio exposed Liverpool's defensive
frailties again as West Ham climbed out of the Premier League relegation
zone with a hard-fought draw at Anfield. After conceding four in last
weekend's loss at Bournemouth, Liverpool shipped two avoidable first-half
goals on their way to ceding more ground to Chelsea and Arsenal in the title
race. Adam Lallana's smart low finish had put Liverpool ahead inside five
minutes but the visitors were level before the half-hour when goalkeeper
Loris Karius - at fault for Bournemouth's winner a week ago - failed to deal
with Payet's saveable 25-yard free-kick. Karius was less culpable for West
Ham's second scored by Antonio, but it was a scruffy goal that did not
reflect well on a Liverpool backline that has now conceded 20 goals in 15
league games - the worst record among the teams in the top six. But errors
were not the sole preserve of the Liverpool defence, and a big mistake by
West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph, dropping a cross into the path of
Divock Origi, gifted Liverpool the equaliser.
Randolph made amends with a quite stunning late save to keep o ut Jordan
Henderson's equally sublime strike as West Ham held on for a point that sees
them climb to 17th. Until recently Liverpool's new goalkeeper had largely
gone under the radar since joining from manager Jurgen Klopp's former club
Mainz in the summer. After missing the start of the season with a broken
hand, Karius was installed as Klopp's number one at the end of September,
replacing Simon Mignolet.
The German had a relatively untroubled time of it in his first nine games,
although small mistakes were in evidence - but nothing as high-profile as
the injury-time spill that allowed Nathan Ake to score Bournemouth's winner
last time out. And the pressure is sure to intensify on the 23-year-old
after his part in West Ham's opener, with Payet's free-kick nicely struck
but much too central to be considered unstoppable. West Ham's second goal
was also avoidable from Liverpool's perspective. Havard Nordtveit's hopeful
drilled pass from his own half struck the head of the retreating Henderson,
deflecting the ball high into the air and wrong-footing Reds centre-back
Joel Matip, allowing Antonio in. The West Ham man might not have had the
chance to score had Karius been further advanced in his area, but nothing
should be taken away from the finish, a cute poke with the outside of his
boot that just had enough force to cross the line.
Liverpool lack killer instinct
Liverpool are the top scorers in the Premier League with 37 goals in 15
games, so it is perhaps uncharitable to point the finger at their forward
line after this blip.
Yet for all their possession - 68% - they managed just three shots on target
in the whole match, with two of those coming from West Ham errors. The
visitors were guilty of snoozing for Liverpool's opener as Sadio Mane picked
up the ball in the middle of the park and made unchecked progress to the
left wing. His cross bounced through to Lallana, who had time to control and
finish under zero pressure from a static West Ham defence. Their second was
also a gift, Mane's cross inexplicably squirming out of Randolph's gloves
and landing perfectly for Origi to score for a fourth successive game in all
competitions - the first Liverpool player to do so since Daniel Sturridge in
February 2014. Mane was at the heart of everything good Liverpool did in
attack, playing a part in an intricate passing move that ended with a
blocked Henderson shot, and then twisting and turning on the edge of the
area to create an opening for Georginio Wijnaldum that flew wide.
Wijnaldum also failed to get enough curl on his shot when advancing on goal
down the left channel, while Roberto Firmino was guilty of missing the
target after good approach play. Indeed Liverpool's only other shot on
target was Henderson's superb long-distance strike, which was reminiscent of
his stunning winner against Chelsea in September but met on this occasion by
the right hand of the flying Randolph.
Man of the match - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Liverpool will be frustrated at failing to pick up all three points but that
was in no way down to a lack of effort on the part of Sadio Mane, who
provided the assist for both goals and could have had a hand in more had his
team-mates been more clinical
Antonio finds his feet - match stats
Watford are the only side in the top half of the table to have conceded more
goals (26) than Liverpool (20).
West Ham have scored five goals in their past two league games at Anfield -
as many as they did in their previous 20.
Michail Antonio scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season, but
his first that wasn't a header. His last non-headed goal was at Stoke on the
last day of last season.
The Hammers have now lost a league-high 12 points from leading positions in
the Premier League this season.
'The goals could have been avoided' - reaction
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "We tried everything. One West Ham goal was a
free-kick and one was lucky. They were 2-1 up and we had some great
offensive situations and should have had more. We tried everything. We were
often in the box, a lot of situations. "It felt like the whole time we were
were in their box. We needed a bit of luck. A draw doesn't feel too good,
doesn't feel too bad. "The goals could have been avoided. For the first goal
- don't make the foul, don't lose the ball. The second goal was unlucky.
Joel Matip had a fantastic game and in this moment he couldn't clear the
ball. Loris Karius was surprised and it was too late.
"Should Karius have saved the free-kick? For this I have to see it again - I
only saw it in the match."
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic: "We showed a great reaction after they were one
up. In the first half we were very good. "I wasn't happy with the second
half because I expected us to be better on the ball. In the end, well done
for the players." On Darren Randolph's mistake: "It's the nature of their
job - when they make a mistake it is obvious. He made a mistake but after
and before he showed real quality and he was crucial for us in moments when
they had a chance or two."
What's next?
It's a quick turnaround for these clubs with a round of midweek Premier
League fixtures to come. Both teams are in back action at 19:45 GMT on
Wednesday as Liverpool travel to Middlesbrough and West Ham host Burnley.
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Now we must start winning, says Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 11th December 2016
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic admitted that he was reasonably pleased with a point from
today's Premier League clash at Anfield, but says his team must start
winning again - beginning with their next outing against Burnley.
Having navigated a tricky November and early December, Bilic's side now face
a run of games against teams in the lower half of the table - namely Hull,
Burnley, Swansea and Leicester.
And despite today's point being enough to lift West Ham out fo the
relegation zone - which they dropped into last night following Swansea's
defeat of fellow strugglers Sunderland - Bilic says that his team must turn
one point into three when they face newly-promoted Burnley at the Olympic
Stadium this week.
"We knew that we had a couple of games at home after this that we had to
win, basically," Bilic said following his side's 2-2 draw at Anfield.
"Hopefully we're going to win them and it can change - not the season maybe,
but to help us climb the table. Maybe it won't be a comfortable situation
still, but much better than this.
"They're going to be hard games, of course, where we have to show our
quality and togetherness. It's going to be a difficult couple of matches and
I've got to make sure we're going to be ready for Burnley on Wednesday."
Referring to this afternoon's game, which the Hammers led 2-1 before a
Darren Randolph error allowed the hosts to snatch a point, Bilic insisted
that his players deserved to take the plaudits for a battling display.
"We conceded an early goal so it was a bad start to the game for us, but
after that in the first half we definitely showed a great reaction," he
surmised. "Of course we had to defend, but I'm really happy with the way we
reacted after the goal.
"In the second half we were expecting Liverpool to move forward, but I also
expected us to be better with the ball, which we weren't. However, we showed
compactness and resilience and we got a point, which was a real achievement
for us.
"We lost 5-1 at home against Arsenal, then conceded an early goal here and
our confidence dropped even more, but as I said, we showed character first
of all, teamwork and togetherness and we got a really good result."
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Slaven Bilic proud of West Ham fight in Liverpool draw
By Michael Hincks
Last Updated: 11/12/16 8:21pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic believes his West Ham side deserve a lot of credit after
recovering from 1-0 down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool. West Ham fell behind to
an early Adam Lallana goal at Anfield, but responded brilliantly and headed
into the break 2-1 ahead after goals from Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio.
While Divock Origi capitalised on a Darren Randolph error to make it 2-2
three minutes into the second half, the Hammers held on for a valuable
point. BIlic was delighted with his side's resilience in a draw which sees
them move out of the relegation zone and into 17th. "They deserve a lot of
credit. We conceded a very early goal but after that we showed a great
reaction," Bilic said. "We were good on the ball and I was really happy. In
the second half, you are expecting Liverpool to be better but I expected
more from us. "We showed compactness and resilience to get a point which is
a great achievement for us." For a club who has not won since October, West
Ham's draw will still be seen as a positive following 5-1 and 4-1 losses to
Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.
Bilic admitted he feared the worst when his side conceded to Liverpool after
just five minutes. "When you lose 5-1 at home then concede an early goal at
Anfield, your confidence drops even more," Bilic added. "But we reacted
really well and showed character, teamwork and togetherness and at the end
we got a really good point." The Hammers manager went on to defend Randolph
despite his costly error before looking ahead to West Ham's next set of
fixtures. Bilic's side face crucial home league matches against Burnley and
Hull before Christmas, with the Clarets visiting the London Stadium first on
Wednesday night. "We have to win and hopefully we will, and then it will
change - not the season, but it can help up move up the table," Bilic said.
"It's going to be very hard and we will have to show our quality - it will
be a difficult couple of games mentally but I'm sure we're going to be ready
for Burnley on Wednesday."
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Liverpool 2-2 West Ham United: Jurgen Klopp's men stumble
By Gerard Brand at Anfield
Last Updated: 11/12/16 7:54pm
SSN
Liverpool fell behind in the Premier League title race after being held to a
2-2 draw by West Ham at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool took the lead early on
through Adam Lallana's neat strike, but Dimitri Payet's 25-yard free-kick
and Michail Antonio's finish had West Ham going into the break 2-1 up via
some questionable goalkeeping from Loris Karius on both occasions. Divock
Origi capitalised on Darren Randolph dropping a Sadio Mane cross to finish
from close range just after the break, but despite dominating the second
half in possession, Liverpool could not grab a winner. The result means
third-place Liverpool are six points behind leaders Chelsea and three behind
second-place Arsenal. West Ham are 17th, a point above the drop zone.
Lallana and Joel Matip both returned for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp made two
changes from the side that lost at Bournemouth, with Emre Can missing out
through a knee injury.
West Ham made four changes as Aaron Cresswell, Andre Ayew, Antonio and
Havard Nordtveit were given the nod at Anfield following a 5-1 defeat by
Arsenal.
After a dramatic 4-3 defeat by Bournemouth last weekend, it initially looked
more simple for Liverpool this time out as they took the lead after five
minutes.
After getting down the left wing, Mane's centre found Lallana eight yards
out, and the midfielder stroked it into the bottom right corner past
Randolph. There were warning signs early on for Liverpool, as Antonio got in
behind Dejan Lovren and forced a save out of Karius, before West Ham
equalised on 27 minutes. Payet, who had not scored for West Ham since
October 1, curled a free-kick into the bottom left corner from 25 yards,
though there were question marks over the positioning of Karius, who also
got a palm to the effort. Anxiety grew in the Liverpool camp, and it was
soon 2-1 to West Ham in somewhat fortuitous fashion.
Matip was left flat-footed as Nordtveit's hopeful drilled ball forward
deflected off the head of Lovren, allowing Antonio to sneak in and poke the
ball past Karius, who was caught in between racing out and staying closer to
goal. Roberto Firmino then glanced a header wide as Liverpool reacted well
before the break, while Matip's looping header from a corner bounced off the
crossbar. They were back level just two minutes after the break through
Origi, who reacted well to finish into an empty net from a few yards out
after Randolph had failed to catch Mane's hopeful left-wing cross. Gini
Wijnaldum then fired wide from just inside the area a couple minutes later,
while at the other end Ayew's diving header went a few yards wide of the
left post. Jordan Henderson then lined one up from 30 yards out, forcing
Randolph into a fine fingertip save as the ball headed for the top corner,
as Liverpool dominated the second period. They could not find the winner,
however, as West Ham's defence stood firm despite having little possession
in the second half.
Player Ratings
West Ham: Randolph (5), Nordtveit (6), Reid (7), Ogbonna (6), Cresswell (6),
Noble (6), Obiang (7), Ayew (6), Lanzini (6), Payet (7), Antonio (8)
Subs: Carroll (6), Fernandes (6)
Liverpool: Karius (4), Clyne (6), Lovren (5), Matip (4), Milner (6),
Henderson (6), Wijnaldum (8), Lallana (8), Mane (7), Origi (7), Firmino (6)
Subs: Klavan (6)
Man of the match: Michail Antonio
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Slaven Bilic sends prayers to Turkey after Besiktas explosions
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 11/12/16 8:39pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic dedicated West Ham's point against Liverpool to the people of
Turkey after the terror attack outside Besiktas' stadium on Saturday. Bilic
spent two seasons as manager of the Super Lig team before leaving them in
the summer of 2015 to make the move to the Premier League with the Hammers.
He had an emotional reaction after the 2-2 draw at Anfield when asked about
the explosions outside the Vodafone Arena, which claimed the lives of 38
people and left more than 150 being treated in hospital. Many of the dead
were reported to have been riot police who were still in the area around the
stadium nearly two hours after Besiktas had beaten Bursaspor 2-1. "I would
like to dedicate these points to people in Turkey because we were there for
two years, me and my staff, and they are following us big time," Bilic said.
"I feel for them, my prayers are for them, it's unbelievable what happened
there. I was all around the world, working or on holiday, and they are maybe
the best people I ever met. "So it's very sad what's happening in one of the
best cities and one of the best countries...not because of the nature of the
country but because of the people. "They are so friendly, so good, so warm
and everything, that it's basically tearing me apart what's happening there.
Big condolences for the families of the victims."
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West Ham's refusal to buckle after soft Liverpool opener follows Arsenal
hammering delights Slaven Bilic
Team battered at home by one title contender last weekend gifted another a
fifth-minute goal at Anfield but hit back to lead on their way to a valuable
point
BYDAVID ANDERSON
20:57, 11 DEC 2016UPDATED20:57, 11 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic managed to out-Klopp Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. It takes some
doing to be more animated than the hyperactive Liverpool boss. But West Ham
counterpart Bilic was during Sunday's 2-2 draw . He prowled his technical
area, kicking and heading every ball and appealing every decision. In the
few moments he was still, he stood in his familiar pose, bent over with his
hands on his thighs, watching the action intently. The passionate Bilic is
clearly still up for the fight in the face of the Hammers' chastening start
to the season. And he was heartened by his side's positive display, if not
their defending, as he continued his remarkable record against Liverpool.
The Croat now has three wins and two draws against the Reds with West Ham
boss —in addition to a Europa League success when his Besiktas side met the
Merseysiders in 2015. West Ham are out of the bottom three after being
pushed in by Saturday's results, and Bilic was delighted — especially after
they gave away a soft early goal. "Definitely, I think we showed character,"
he said. "After we lost our last game 5-1 to Arsenal and after our start,
which couldn't be worse, we showed a great reaction, particularly in the
first half "I'm very pleased. I'm very pleased with the character in the
first half in particular. It's a really good point for us before a crucial
week for us." Bilic defended Darren Randolph for his howler, which gifted
Divock Origi Liverpool's second goal, and highlighted his fantastic
fingertip save to deny Jordan Henderson once it was 2-2. He said: "That's
the nature of the job for a goalkeeper and he made a mistake for the second
goal, but before that, and after that, he showed great ability." The bomb
attack outside the ground of his former club Besiktas put Bilic's troubles
at West Ham into perspective and he offered his condolences to the victims.
"It's tearing me apart what happened," he said. "I'm very sad about what
happened in one of the best cities in the world in one of the best
countries. My condolences go out to the families."
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Slaven Bilic dedicates West Ham point at Liverpool to victims of Besiktas
stadium bomb
Two separate explosions went off just outside of Besiktas' stadium just 90
minutes after a match on Saturday night and Bilic has paid tribute
BYAARON FLANAGAN
20:10, 11 DEC 2016UPDATED20:12, 11 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic has dedicated West Ham's point from their draw at Liverpool to
the victims of the bomb attacks outside of his former club's stadium.
Terrorists killed 38 people and injured another 166 more in two bombings
outside of Besiktas' Vodafone Arena in Istanbul. Riot police were targeted
outside the stadium with a car bomb at around 10.20pm on Saturday night. A
second attack 45 seconds later saw a suicide bomber blow themselves up in
Macka Park just across from the stadium. The blasts took place just 90
minutes after Besiktas faced off against Bursaspor, but no fans were thought
to have been injured. Bilic spoke with emotion about the attacks after West
Ham came from behind to secure a valuable 2-2 draw at Liverpool in the
Premier League on Sunday. The Croatian boss took charge of Besiktas between
2013 and 2015 before moving to the Premier League to take charge of the
Hammers. "I would like to dedicate these points to people in Turkey because
we were there for two years, me and my staff, and they are following us big
time. "I feel for them, my prayers are for them, it's unbelievable what
happened there. I was all around the world, working or on holiday, and they
are maybe the best people I ever met. So it's very sad what's happening in
one of the best cities and one of the best countries...not because of the
nature of the country but because of the people. "They are so friendly, so
good, so warm and everything, that it's basically tearing me apart what's
happening there. Big condolences for the families of the victims."
Besiktas adorned the outside of the stadium with Turkish flags on Sunday,
which was a national day of mourning, and posted a message of defiance on
its Twitter feed. It read: "After yesterday's inhumane attacks, £Besiktas
Vodafone Arena is decorated w/ Turkish flags today. Terrorism will not
achieve its goals here!"
The club have offered condolences to the families of two club employees who
were among the deceased - Vefa Karakurdu, a security director at the stadium
and member of the club's congress, and Tunc Uncu who worked in their club
shop. A statement from Fikret Orman, chairman of Besiktas' board, added:
"We strongly condemn the terrorist bomb attack on our police officers during
their departure from the Vodafone Arena. "On behalf of Besiktas I wish the
deceased mercy from Allah. I offer my condolences to the families and I wish
a swift recovery to those injured."
West Ham went behind to an Adam Lallana strike inside of the first five
minutes of the game at Anfield. But Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio hit
back to give the Hammers the lead before the break. Divock Origi levelled
the game back up shortly after the interval and West Ham were able to hang
on to earn a valuable point to see them move out of the drop zone.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 11
Daily WHUFC News - 11th December 2016
Preview - Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Where and when?
Liverpool v West Ham United
Premier League
Sunday 11 December 2016, 4.30pm GMT
Anfield
What's the story?
West Ham United travel to Anfield on Sunday looking for a response after last weekend's Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, the Hammers were unable to build upon that against the Gunners, as Alexis Sanchez's hat-trick powered them to a 5-1 win.
Now, Slaven Bilic's men will be looking to last season, when they ended a wait of 52 years for victory at Anfield in the best possible style. Goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho gave the visitors a 3-0 victory – one of three West Ham gained over the Reds last term.
This season, Jurgen Klopp's men have made a terrific start, and they sit third in the table with 30 points from their opening 14 games.
Last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth was their first in 12 league games as the Merseysiders attempt to make a swift improvement on last season's eighth place finish.
West Ham, with 12 points from 14 games, are in 18th place, but could move up to 15th with victory on Sunday,
Team news
The Hammers could have both Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio back after they missed the defeat to Arsenal with groin injuries.
Andy Carroll returned from his knee injury with a goal against the Gunners and could start up front.
However, Cheikhou Kouyate is out with a groin injury.
For Liverpool, Sadio Mane is expected to be available despite limping off during the loss to Bournemouth.
Joel Matip could return from an ankle injury, but Daniel Sturridge is out due to a calf problem.
Any links between the two?
West Ham defender Alvaro Arbeloa was at Liverpool between 2007-09, playing 66 Premier League games before moving back to Spain with Real Madrid.
Andy Carroll joined the Hammers from the Reds, initially on loan, in 2012, after signing for Liverpool from Newcastle a year earlier.
How do I get to the match?
Click here for directions to Anfield.
The latest travel information on the trains can be found here. Click here for the latest on the roads.
How can I watch the match?
The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports. You can also follow the action as it happens on whufc.com, with live audio commentary, social media updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Get involved in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #LIVWHU
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Manager on Matchday
WHUFC.com
Good morning everybody.
I want to start by wishing all the West Ham United supporters travelling to Liverpool a safe journey.
We want to give you all another day to be proud of at Anfield, but we know it will be far from easy. What I know is that we have worked very hard and prepared well in training this week and will give everything we can to give a good performance.
Liverpool have been winning matches, especially at home, but they play risky football and they leave spaces. Manchester City are also playing like this, and Liverpool are not less-solid than Man City.
For me they are strong contenders to win the Premier League, Liverpool. If they had a defence like they have an offense they would be eight points clear or whatever. For me, they are very strong contenders.
I was asked this week about whether our season has affected my self-belief, and I can honestly say it has not.
My mood, on the other hand, has been affected. It's not the same if my team is winning or losing, but if you talk about confidence and self-belief, situations like this make me stronger.
I have had periods like this in my career before, when things have been tough. OK, I've not been so low in the table, but I had periods with Croatia and Lokomotiv Moscow that were challenging, and they are hard times, but they only make me stronger.
My belief in myself, my players and my staff and my ideas remains strong and grows bigger every day.
This is a job where you take your feelings and emotions home with you. Maybe you can hide them sometimes, but it's not a job where you can divide business from personal life.
You can't do this job in a proper way if you're not emotional, but the catch is to remain in control of your emotions. I didn't see a manager who is not emotional, though, definitely.
I believe in my team and their abilities, but we have to be balanced because Liverpool are playing good football and are on a roll at home. They are exciting to watch and put you under a lot of pressure, so you have to be versatile, complete and play a good game.
You cannot park the bus and stay 25 metres from your goal. You can win the game that way, because it's football, but you have to be very lucky to get anything if you play like this.
On the other hand, you cannot just attack them high up the pitch, because they have the quality to break through you and get into big spaces. Most of the time, they create goalscoring opportuntiies from those situations.
You have to be balanced, like we were last season. We played them four times last season and beat them three times, so we take confidence from last season, but we have to produce the same level of performance to get a similar result.
We shouldn't be afraid of them, but we cannot go there and think we will beat them just because we beat them last season. We need to use our positive memories to inspire us and they can do us no harm.
Come on you Irons!
Slaven
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Defiant Slaven Bilic convinced West Ham will emerge stronger from their current struggles
Last week's home hammering by Arsenal and Saturday results have put the Hammers in the bottom three — and now they face a daunting trip to Liverpool
4
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COMMENTS
BYSTEVE STAMMERS
22:30, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED17:06, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic made it clear that his self-belief remains intact despite a desperate run that has left West Ham in a relegation fight and the humiliation by Arsenal at the London Stadium last week. Arsenal won 5-1 to leave Hammers manager Bilic in a state of shock, and Saturday's results mean the East End club are now in the drop zone. On Sunday afternoon, West Ham go to Anfield to face a Liverpool team stung by their 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth a week ago and in need of a win to maintain their title challenge. But Bilic insisted: "These situations make you even stronger." The Croatian pointed out he had suffered major disappointments as a player and as coach of his country's national team, as well as in club management with Hajduk Split, Lokomotiv Moscow and Turkish club Besiktas. "I have had positions like this before," said Bilic. "Maybe not positions like 17th out of 20, but I have had periods of a season and it is hard to be in them. But they make you stronger. "I have belief in myself, my players and the team. And in my ideas."
He revealed that the low he felt after last Saturday's massive setback against Arsenal was part and parcel of management. "It is part of the job. It is not the sort of job where you can divide your emotions from private and personal," said Bilic. "If you are a manager, you cannot do the job if you are not emotional. What you have to do is to be in control of these emotions. "You cannot be a manager and not be emotional."
In August last year, West Ham secured the first of three wins over Liverpool last season when they won at Anfield for the first time since 1963. The Irons also won the reverse league fixture at Upton Park and also an FA Cup fourth-round replay there after drawing the original game on Merseyside. Bilic will remind his players of the triumphant dressing-room vibe that day before they do battle again. "The atmosphere was brilliant," he said. " We played them four times in the league and the FA Cup and won three. But we will have to produce a lot to repeat that."
He agreed that a video review of that win will help to boost morale ahead of this afternoon's clash. "Yes, it helps," said Bilic. "We shouldn't be afraid of them. "Of course I am going to tell the players what we did there last year. "We can't expect to go there and win just because of that. But a good memory can motivate the players. To give them some belief is only good. We watch those videos – and they are good for motivation."
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West Ham plotting transfer raid on relegation scrap rivals Sunderland for defender Lamine Kone
The 27-year-old has a clause in his contract which could see him leave in January for £18m PLUS: Calleri to go and Moyes eyes playmaker
BYNEIL MOXLEY
22:30, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED21:51, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Struggling West Ham are ready to trigger an £18million get-out clause in Lamine Kone's contract with fellow strugglers Sunderland. Slaven Bilic wants the 27-year-old to hold together his leaking defence and his bosses will act next month. Centre-back Kone was brought in by then-boss Sam Allardyce for £6million from French club Lorient last January, helped the Wearsiders avoid relegation and signed a new five-year deal in September. But the Ivory Coast player had a clause inserted which could see him leave the Stadium of Light in January — and the Hammers are ready to pounce. West Ham's defence has proved porous this season and co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are anxious to protect the club's Premier League status. Meanwhile, West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri will be offered an escape route by Sevilla after a miserable few months on loan in the East End. Argentinian Calleri joined Hammers in the summer from Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado and has yet to score in nine appearances. The £10million-rated Romania international has impressed since his a summer move from Steaua Bucharest – and now Moyes wants Stanciu with the Black Cats.
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West Ham want to sign Joe Hart - as long as they stay in Premier League
West Ham could look to sign Joe Hart in the summer as long as they safeguard their Premier League place
Matt Law, football news correspondent Ian Winrow
10 DECEMBER 2016 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United will try to bring goalkeeper Joe Hart back to England at the end of the season – as long as the club preserve their Premier League status.
Hart is on loan at Torino and has already accepted that his Manchester City career is over with manager Pep Guardiola willing to listen to offers of £10 million from foreign clubs. City could ask for double that fee from a Premier League rival, but West Ham will hope that the fact they are not a threat to the Manchester club in England or in Europe will help them land the England international for a knock-down price. West Ham are considering a loan move for Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in January because of the poor form of Adrian, who has lost his place to Darren Randolph. But it is Hart who has emerged at West Ham's first choice permanent goalkeeper target for the end of the season, with either Adrian or Randolph expected to leave. Although Hart is enjoying his season-long loan in Torino, the 29-year-old would favour a permanent move back to England to help him keep his place in the national side. Asked about his future this week, Hart said: "I still don't know, I'm still a Manchester City player, but until the summer I will only think about enjoying my season with Torino." Hart will play in his first Turin derby against Juventus on Sunday and believes his experience of the Manchester rivalry between City and United stands him in good stead. "Torino and Manchester are not so different about how they feel about the derby," said Hart. "Torino is a city that breathes football." West Ham have conceded 29 Premier League goals this season and travel to Liverpool looking to avoid another defeat. Relegation would rule out a move for Hart and the threat of going down has contributed to the fact the Hammers are looking at a number of potential loan deals for January including Begovic and midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Adrian joined West Ham from Real Betis in 2013 and has performed well for the club up until this season. The Spaniard was dropped by under-pressure manager Slaven Bilic after a blunder against Stoke City at the start of November. Bilic has admitted he is facing a crucial run of fixtures that could determine his future. After facing Liverpool at Anfield, West Ham entertain Burnley and Hull City, before travelling to Swansea City on Boxing Day.
In his search for inspiration, Bilic this week turned to a recording of his players' last league visit to face Liverpool. A 3-0 victory at the start of last season built on the promise shown in an opening day win at Arsenal and helped set the tone for campaign that suggested club and manager were an ideal fit. Now, five months into the current season, the optimism generated by May's seventh-place finish – two points and one place ahead of today's opponents - has quickly disappeared.
Last weekend's 5-1 home humiliation at the hands of Arsenal marked a low point and confirmed the London club's focus is currently focused on the lower reaches of the table rather than the possibility of a return to European football. Little wonder then, Bilic has attempted to recall the mood generated by last season's successes against the Merseysiders. "The atmosphere in the dressing room was brilliant," said Bilic. "We played them four times and three times we beat them. But we will have to produce a lot to repeat that. We are watching those videos and they are good for motivation. It helps. We shouldn't be afraid of them. But we can't necessarily expect to go and win there just because we won there last year. We recalled that good memory to motivate the players. To give them some belief is only good."
Bilic and his players certainly need it. Last season's swagger has disappeared, replaced by tentative, unconvincing displays, particularly at home. The manager, though, insists he remains convinced his approach is the right one. "It's not a question of whether my team s winning or losing, we are talking about self belief and confidence," he said. "These situations make you even stronger. I have had difficult periods in a but I have belief in myself me my players and the team and in my ideas."
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West Ham's Álvaro Arbeloa: I don't regret coming at all. I want to be here to the end
The Spanish defender backs his manager Slaven Bilic but feels the players 'should be killing each other a bit more' over their side's recent disappointments
Sid Lowe
The Guardian
Saturday 10 December 2016 12.00 GMT
He could see them go – they were not exactly sneaking out. Even before Arsenal scored their final goal last Saturday, thousands of West Ham United fans had left the London Stadium, those long, painful closing minutes played before sweeps of empty white seats. Álvaro Arbeloa could not stop them; nor could he blame them. His manager couldn't, either: afterwards all Slaven Bilic could do was apologise to them. "A big humiliation," he called it. It finished 5-1, the home side conceding three in six minutes, four in 14. It could have been eight.
"You reach the point where you think: 'Let's stop the bleeding, at least,'" Arbeloa admits, but the cut was deep. "It felt like we might get into it, but they scored three in six minutes. Bam! We went for it desperately and every counter was a goal: goal, goal, goal. You felt the disappointment. You have to live with that: we can't ask anything from them." The word he uses next is desencantada and while it does not translate exactly, it fits – not just last Saturday but all season, on the pitch and off. The fans are disenchanted, disillusioned. Everyone at West Ham is.
It was not supposed to be this way. After seven years at Real Madrid, having won every trophy there is, there were good reasons for Arbeloa to join West Ham. England, London, the Premier League, European competition, a team playing "attractive" football, a new stadium, the excitement of a new era, supporters he likens to those who so embraced him when he played for Liverpool, the Hammers' opponents on Sunday. "They're alike; there's a great communion between fans and players."
It is tempting to respond: not any more, there's not. Last Saturday Arsène Wenger claimed: "West Ham aren't comfortable at home." Perhaps because it is not home yet. But that alone does not explain them lying 17th, one point from the relegation zone. Their away form has been worse, for a start. "I didn't expect this; nobody did," Arbeloa says. "Last season was spectacular, bringing hope, but then we were knocked out of Europe. That was the first hammer blow and everything followed. Not playing in Europe, which would've given everyone minutes, moving stadium, which has been hard, the team in this position … it's not surprising fans lose enthusiasm, that hope."
There is a case to suggest that last season was part of the problem, creating false expectations; such hope was misplaced. But things still should not be this bad. "They were seventh, above Liverpool. Is repeating that impossible? I don't think so, but we do have to recognise that the two Manchester [clubs], Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have stronger squads," Arbeloa says. "Yet our squad should be as good as, say, Everton's. We shouldn't be so low."
"I played at Upton Park [for Liverpool] and it's completely different. A smaller pitch, the fans closer. Upton Park meant points. A new stadium allows you to grow, but it's good to maintain that proximity. For visiting teams, the new stadium's much easier. That's not the [sole] reason, but it's another ingredient. You can't say: 'This is why we're in this situation, or this is.' It's lots of things. Take injuries: is it that? No, but they play a part. You miss your best players, you can't create an identity, the base of a team. Then when things start going badly, you don't have the same confidence; it becomes a snowball, gathering a momentum, that you have to stop."
After the Arsenal game Bilic tried, accusing his players of lacking intensity, even in training. "It's good for the manager to tell it the way he sees it, to highlight what he thinks we need to do to change the situation," Arbeloa says. "And on the Monday, he told us we have to be united in these difficult moments. I also understand that coaches sometimes try to get a reaction from players via the media."
Bilic's words spoke too of a manager under pressure, reportedly handed an ultimatum, yet Arbeloa says: "He looks more volcanic than he is. Other coaches might have been more susceptible, they might have lost it, but he's been quite calm. We're not in this situation because of the manager and I don't think changing means you'll pick up more points. Inside the team, you won't hear anyone saying he's the problem."
Nor have there been recriminations in the dressing room. "The relationship's good," Arbeloa insists, pausing to add, "maybe even too good. At times, I think we should be killing each other a bit more – more angry. The atmosphere should be more tense."
It is, he says, a young team, a good group, although it sounds like one that lacks leadership, that person who steps forward. "I don't think it would fair to the captain to say that," Arbeloa insists. He says there are different ways to lead – he cites Dimitri Payet's willingness to take the ball and responsibility at difficult moments, for example – but admits there have been few raised voices. If that all sounds a little too comfortable, Arbeloa says they are aware of the reality. And although it is new to him he says he is ready for it, too. "We're conscious of the position we're in, which is important: look at Newcastle, who thought that there was no chance they'd go down.
"The teams around us are getting points, the teams above are opening a gap, Swansea and Sunderland looked dead but they've closed on us. I don't want to be in that position but at Madrid every defeat is a catastrophe and the demands are brutal. Pressure is pressure. That: 'Shit, we have to win.' The next four or five games are crucial."
That run starts at Liverpool on Sunday, although Arbeloa admits that the four matches that follow are likely more decisive: Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester. He will miss out on Anfield, too; he would have loved to return to a stadium special to him, as he did with Madrid, but he is limping as he arrives in Marylebone, his leg purple, swollen and bruised just as he aspired to a rare opportunity. Last Saturday was only his third league appearance of the season. Injuries suggested he might have got a fourth; form suggested he might not have done, except that it is hard to know what his form is actually like with so few chances.
Another reason Arbeloa came was to play, after a final season of limited opportunity in Spain, but he has not. When he got his chance last weekend, for the first time since coming on against Middlesbrough on 1 October, it ended with a heavy defeat. Then came reports that he would be moved on in January, departing in virtual anonymity having arrived feted as a World Cup winner.
A late arrival did not help, Arbeloa insisting that working alone is never the same, "even if you trained 24 hours a day", and he suggests that he and the coach still need time to "connect", but he has not asked for an explanation as to why he has started just one league game all season."You don't ask why when you're playing and you don't ask when you're not," he says. "He's under a lot of pressure; he doesn't need me saying: 'Hey, why aren't I playing?' That would just create tension, another problem to deal with. But I want to play, of course."
Can he though? Is his level good enough any more? "I went almost two months without playing and [against Arsenal] I covered the most distance sprinting and in high intensity," Arbeloa says. "But to really judge it, you need to play more, so I don't know. I do know that I'm killing myself to change things; I haven't just accepted it.
"And I'm not leaving. Sometimes you read things [in the papers] and think: 'Do I say something? Do I ignore it?' I feel like people were misinformed and all I can say is that I'm staying until the summer, no matter what. And no one from West Ham has told me to look for a team or anything."
And then? In January, Arbeloa will be 34. For many players that is retirement age and inactivity tends to nudge players towards the end. It is not a decision he has taken – so long as he feels fit and motivated he intends to continue – and nor has he decided what he will do next. Coaching appeals, especially after Zinedine Zidane told him winning the Champions League as manager was miles better than doing so as a player. "But then," he says with a laugh, "I think about putting up with 25 bastards like me. I'd put a bullet in my head. You're always the bad guy."
He has watched others make the transition and he certainly has some of the attributes – he has had the coaches too, including Benítez, Mourinho, Ancelotti and Del Bosque – but he says that sometimes life, and opportunity, makes decisions for you. Take Jamie Carragher, for example.
"Everyone saw Carragher as a coach but he's as happy as can be on the telly, eh! Relaxed, comfortable. We all said: 'Carragher will be a coach, Stevie [Gerrard] on the telly,' but maybe it'll be the other way around."
Isn't Gerrard a bit quiet to be a coach, though? "And Zidane isn't?" Arbeloa shoots back. "None of us could see it and now look. I've been lucky. I've played with some of the best players in history, but Gerrard's the most complete." More than Zidane? "Could Zidane defend like Steven?" Arbeloa replies, swiftly.
"He defended, he attacked, he was good in the air, he could hit it with his right, with his left, he could head a corner or take it, play everywhere. He could do so much, so well. He has experience, he's worked with good coaches, and if he wants to be a coach, he can.
"You think he's calm but on the pitch he's all passion. You see him flying into a tackle or celebrating a goal and think: 'Calm? Yeah, when he's sleeping maybe …' And if he wants to be a coach there's no better place than Liverpool."
The place West Ham will go on Sunday, travelling to Arbeloa's former home without him. There is that spiral he talks about, so hard to break. When your luck's out, it's out. Summer excitement has given way to this; it could hardly have gone worse so far.
"One of the good things about getting older is you learn with experience and I've learnt that a season isn't September to January; what really matters is January to June, and I hope to be here. I just want to help," he says. "I don't regret coming at all – and the proof of that is that I don't want to go in January; I want to be here to the end."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Where and when?
Liverpool v West Ham United
Premier League
Sunday 11 December 2016, 4.30pm GMT
Anfield
What's the story?
West Ham United travel to Anfield on Sunday looking for a response after last weekend's Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, the Hammers were unable to build upon that against the Gunners, as Alexis Sanchez's hat-trick powered them to a 5-1 win.
Now, Slaven Bilic's men will be looking to last season, when they ended a wait of 52 years for victory at Anfield in the best possible style. Goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho gave the visitors a 3-0 victory – one of three West Ham gained over the Reds last term.
This season, Jurgen Klopp's men have made a terrific start, and they sit third in the table with 30 points from their opening 14 games.
Last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth was their first in 12 league games as the Merseysiders attempt to make a swift improvement on last season's eighth place finish.
West Ham, with 12 points from 14 games, are in 18th place, but could move up to 15th with victory on Sunday,
Team news
The Hammers could have both Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio back after they missed the defeat to Arsenal with groin injuries.
Andy Carroll returned from his knee injury with a goal against the Gunners and could start up front.
However, Cheikhou Kouyate is out with a groin injury.
For Liverpool, Sadio Mane is expected to be available despite limping off during the loss to Bournemouth.
Joel Matip could return from an ankle injury, but Daniel Sturridge is out due to a calf problem.
Any links between the two?
West Ham defender Alvaro Arbeloa was at Liverpool between 2007-09, playing 66 Premier League games before moving back to Spain with Real Madrid.
Andy Carroll joined the Hammers from the Reds, initially on loan, in 2012, after signing for Liverpool from Newcastle a year earlier.
How do I get to the match?
Click here for directions to Anfield.
The latest travel information on the trains can be found here. Click here for the latest on the roads.
How can I watch the match?
The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports. You can also follow the action as it happens on whufc.com, with live audio commentary, social media updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Get involved in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #LIVWHU
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Manager on Matchday
WHUFC.com
Good morning everybody.
I want to start by wishing all the West Ham United supporters travelling to Liverpool a safe journey.
We want to give you all another day to be proud of at Anfield, but we know it will be far from easy. What I know is that we have worked very hard and prepared well in training this week and will give everything we can to give a good performance.
Liverpool have been winning matches, especially at home, but they play risky football and they leave spaces. Manchester City are also playing like this, and Liverpool are not less-solid than Man City.
For me they are strong contenders to win the Premier League, Liverpool. If they had a defence like they have an offense they would be eight points clear or whatever. For me, they are very strong contenders.
I was asked this week about whether our season has affected my self-belief, and I can honestly say it has not.
My mood, on the other hand, has been affected. It's not the same if my team is winning or losing, but if you talk about confidence and self-belief, situations like this make me stronger.
I have had periods like this in my career before, when things have been tough. OK, I've not been so low in the table, but I had periods with Croatia and Lokomotiv Moscow that were challenging, and they are hard times, but they only make me stronger.
My belief in myself, my players and my staff and my ideas remains strong and grows bigger every day.
This is a job where you take your feelings and emotions home with you. Maybe you can hide them sometimes, but it's not a job where you can divide business from personal life.
You can't do this job in a proper way if you're not emotional, but the catch is to remain in control of your emotions. I didn't see a manager who is not emotional, though, definitely.
I believe in my team and their abilities, but we have to be balanced because Liverpool are playing good football and are on a roll at home. They are exciting to watch and put you under a lot of pressure, so you have to be versatile, complete and play a good game.
You cannot park the bus and stay 25 metres from your goal. You can win the game that way, because it's football, but you have to be very lucky to get anything if you play like this.
On the other hand, you cannot just attack them high up the pitch, because they have the quality to break through you and get into big spaces. Most of the time, they create goalscoring opportuntiies from those situations.
You have to be balanced, like we were last season. We played them four times last season and beat them three times, so we take confidence from last season, but we have to produce the same level of performance to get a similar result.
We shouldn't be afraid of them, but we cannot go there and think we will beat them just because we beat them last season. We need to use our positive memories to inspire us and they can do us no harm.
Come on you Irons!
Slaven
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Defiant Slaven Bilic convinced West Ham will emerge stronger from their current struggles
Last week's home hammering by Arsenal and Saturday results have put the Hammers in the bottom three — and now they face a daunting trip to Liverpool
4
SHARES
COMMENTS
BYSTEVE STAMMERS
22:30, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED17:06, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic made it clear that his self-belief remains intact despite a desperate run that has left West Ham in a relegation fight and the humiliation by Arsenal at the London Stadium last week. Arsenal won 5-1 to leave Hammers manager Bilic in a state of shock, and Saturday's results mean the East End club are now in the drop zone. On Sunday afternoon, West Ham go to Anfield to face a Liverpool team stung by their 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth a week ago and in need of a win to maintain their title challenge. But Bilic insisted: "These situations make you even stronger." The Croatian pointed out he had suffered major disappointments as a player and as coach of his country's national team, as well as in club management with Hajduk Split, Lokomotiv Moscow and Turkish club Besiktas. "I have had positions like this before," said Bilic. "Maybe not positions like 17th out of 20, but I have had periods of a season and it is hard to be in them. But they make you stronger. "I have belief in myself, my players and the team. And in my ideas."
He revealed that the low he felt after last Saturday's massive setback against Arsenal was part and parcel of management. "It is part of the job. It is not the sort of job where you can divide your emotions from private and personal," said Bilic. "If you are a manager, you cannot do the job if you are not emotional. What you have to do is to be in control of these emotions. "You cannot be a manager and not be emotional."
In August last year, West Ham secured the first of three wins over Liverpool last season when they won at Anfield for the first time since 1963. The Irons also won the reverse league fixture at Upton Park and also an FA Cup fourth-round replay there after drawing the original game on Merseyside. Bilic will remind his players of the triumphant dressing-room vibe that day before they do battle again. "The atmosphere was brilliant," he said. " We played them four times in the league and the FA Cup and won three. But we will have to produce a lot to repeat that."
He agreed that a video review of that win will help to boost morale ahead of this afternoon's clash. "Yes, it helps," said Bilic. "We shouldn't be afraid of them. "Of course I am going to tell the players what we did there last year. "We can't expect to go there and win just because of that. But a good memory can motivate the players. To give them some belief is only good. We watch those videos – and they are good for motivation."
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West Ham plotting transfer raid on relegation scrap rivals Sunderland for defender Lamine Kone
The 27-year-old has a clause in his contract which could see him leave in January for £18m PLUS: Calleri to go and Moyes eyes playmaker
BYNEIL MOXLEY
22:30, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED21:51, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Struggling West Ham are ready to trigger an £18million get-out clause in Lamine Kone's contract with fellow strugglers Sunderland. Slaven Bilic wants the 27-year-old to hold together his leaking defence and his bosses will act next month. Centre-back Kone was brought in by then-boss Sam Allardyce for £6million from French club Lorient last January, helped the Wearsiders avoid relegation and signed a new five-year deal in September. But the Ivory Coast player had a clause inserted which could see him leave the Stadium of Light in January — and the Hammers are ready to pounce. West Ham's defence has proved porous this season and co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are anxious to protect the club's Premier League status. Meanwhile, West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri will be offered an escape route by Sevilla after a miserable few months on loan in the East End. Argentinian Calleri joined Hammers in the summer from Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado and has yet to score in nine appearances. The £10million-rated Romania international has impressed since his a summer move from Steaua Bucharest – and now Moyes wants Stanciu with the Black Cats.
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West Ham want to sign Joe Hart - as long as they stay in Premier League
West Ham could look to sign Joe Hart in the summer as long as they safeguard their Premier League place
Matt Law, football news correspondent Ian Winrow
10 DECEMBER 2016 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United will try to bring goalkeeper Joe Hart back to England at the end of the season – as long as the club preserve their Premier League status.
Hart is on loan at Torino and has already accepted that his Manchester City career is over with manager Pep Guardiola willing to listen to offers of £10 million from foreign clubs. City could ask for double that fee from a Premier League rival, but West Ham will hope that the fact they are not a threat to the Manchester club in England or in Europe will help them land the England international for a knock-down price. West Ham are considering a loan move for Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in January because of the poor form of Adrian, who has lost his place to Darren Randolph. But it is Hart who has emerged at West Ham's first choice permanent goalkeeper target for the end of the season, with either Adrian or Randolph expected to leave. Although Hart is enjoying his season-long loan in Torino, the 29-year-old would favour a permanent move back to England to help him keep his place in the national side. Asked about his future this week, Hart said: "I still don't know, I'm still a Manchester City player, but until the summer I will only think about enjoying my season with Torino." Hart will play in his first Turin derby against Juventus on Sunday and believes his experience of the Manchester rivalry between City and United stands him in good stead. "Torino and Manchester are not so different about how they feel about the derby," said Hart. "Torino is a city that breathes football." West Ham have conceded 29 Premier League goals this season and travel to Liverpool looking to avoid another defeat. Relegation would rule out a move for Hart and the threat of going down has contributed to the fact the Hammers are looking at a number of potential loan deals for January including Begovic and midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Adrian joined West Ham from Real Betis in 2013 and has performed well for the club up until this season. The Spaniard was dropped by under-pressure manager Slaven Bilic after a blunder against Stoke City at the start of November. Bilic has admitted he is facing a crucial run of fixtures that could determine his future. After facing Liverpool at Anfield, West Ham entertain Burnley and Hull City, before travelling to Swansea City on Boxing Day.
In his search for inspiration, Bilic this week turned to a recording of his players' last league visit to face Liverpool. A 3-0 victory at the start of last season built on the promise shown in an opening day win at Arsenal and helped set the tone for campaign that suggested club and manager were an ideal fit. Now, five months into the current season, the optimism generated by May's seventh-place finish – two points and one place ahead of today's opponents - has quickly disappeared.
Last weekend's 5-1 home humiliation at the hands of Arsenal marked a low point and confirmed the London club's focus is currently focused on the lower reaches of the table rather than the possibility of a return to European football. Little wonder then, Bilic has attempted to recall the mood generated by last season's successes against the Merseysiders. "The atmosphere in the dressing room was brilliant," said Bilic. "We played them four times and three times we beat them. But we will have to produce a lot to repeat that. We are watching those videos and they are good for motivation. It helps. We shouldn't be afraid of them. But we can't necessarily expect to go and win there just because we won there last year. We recalled that good memory to motivate the players. To give them some belief is only good."
Bilic and his players certainly need it. Last season's swagger has disappeared, replaced by tentative, unconvincing displays, particularly at home. The manager, though, insists he remains convinced his approach is the right one. "It's not a question of whether my team s winning or losing, we are talking about self belief and confidence," he said. "These situations make you even stronger. I have had difficult periods in a but I have belief in myself me my players and the team and in my ideas."
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West Ham's Álvaro Arbeloa: I don't regret coming at all. I want to be here to the end
The Spanish defender backs his manager Slaven Bilic but feels the players 'should be killing each other a bit more' over their side's recent disappointments
Sid Lowe
The Guardian
Saturday 10 December 2016 12.00 GMT
He could see them go – they were not exactly sneaking out. Even before Arsenal scored their final goal last Saturday, thousands of West Ham United fans had left the London Stadium, those long, painful closing minutes played before sweeps of empty white seats. Álvaro Arbeloa could not stop them; nor could he blame them. His manager couldn't, either: afterwards all Slaven Bilic could do was apologise to them. "A big humiliation," he called it. It finished 5-1, the home side conceding three in six minutes, four in 14. It could have been eight.
"You reach the point where you think: 'Let's stop the bleeding, at least,'" Arbeloa admits, but the cut was deep. "It felt like we might get into it, but they scored three in six minutes. Bam! We went for it desperately and every counter was a goal: goal, goal, goal. You felt the disappointment. You have to live with that: we can't ask anything from them." The word he uses next is desencantada and while it does not translate exactly, it fits – not just last Saturday but all season, on the pitch and off. The fans are disenchanted, disillusioned. Everyone at West Ham is.
It was not supposed to be this way. After seven years at Real Madrid, having won every trophy there is, there were good reasons for Arbeloa to join West Ham. England, London, the Premier League, European competition, a team playing "attractive" football, a new stadium, the excitement of a new era, supporters he likens to those who so embraced him when he played for Liverpool, the Hammers' opponents on Sunday. "They're alike; there's a great communion between fans and players."
It is tempting to respond: not any more, there's not. Last Saturday Arsène Wenger claimed: "West Ham aren't comfortable at home." Perhaps because it is not home yet. But that alone does not explain them lying 17th, one point from the relegation zone. Their away form has been worse, for a start. "I didn't expect this; nobody did," Arbeloa says. "Last season was spectacular, bringing hope, but then we were knocked out of Europe. That was the first hammer blow and everything followed. Not playing in Europe, which would've given everyone minutes, moving stadium, which has been hard, the team in this position … it's not surprising fans lose enthusiasm, that hope."
There is a case to suggest that last season was part of the problem, creating false expectations; such hope was misplaced. But things still should not be this bad. "They were seventh, above Liverpool. Is repeating that impossible? I don't think so, but we do have to recognise that the two Manchester [clubs], Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have stronger squads," Arbeloa says. "Yet our squad should be as good as, say, Everton's. We shouldn't be so low."
"I played at Upton Park [for Liverpool] and it's completely different. A smaller pitch, the fans closer. Upton Park meant points. A new stadium allows you to grow, but it's good to maintain that proximity. For visiting teams, the new stadium's much easier. That's not the [sole] reason, but it's another ingredient. You can't say: 'This is why we're in this situation, or this is.' It's lots of things. Take injuries: is it that? No, but they play a part. You miss your best players, you can't create an identity, the base of a team. Then when things start going badly, you don't have the same confidence; it becomes a snowball, gathering a momentum, that you have to stop."
After the Arsenal game Bilic tried, accusing his players of lacking intensity, even in training. "It's good for the manager to tell it the way he sees it, to highlight what he thinks we need to do to change the situation," Arbeloa says. "And on the Monday, he told us we have to be united in these difficult moments. I also understand that coaches sometimes try to get a reaction from players via the media."
Bilic's words spoke too of a manager under pressure, reportedly handed an ultimatum, yet Arbeloa says: "He looks more volcanic than he is. Other coaches might have been more susceptible, they might have lost it, but he's been quite calm. We're not in this situation because of the manager and I don't think changing means you'll pick up more points. Inside the team, you won't hear anyone saying he's the problem."
Nor have there been recriminations in the dressing room. "The relationship's good," Arbeloa insists, pausing to add, "maybe even too good. At times, I think we should be killing each other a bit more – more angry. The atmosphere should be more tense."
It is, he says, a young team, a good group, although it sounds like one that lacks leadership, that person who steps forward. "I don't think it would fair to the captain to say that," Arbeloa insists. He says there are different ways to lead – he cites Dimitri Payet's willingness to take the ball and responsibility at difficult moments, for example – but admits there have been few raised voices. If that all sounds a little too comfortable, Arbeloa says they are aware of the reality. And although it is new to him he says he is ready for it, too. "We're conscious of the position we're in, which is important: look at Newcastle, who thought that there was no chance they'd go down.
"The teams around us are getting points, the teams above are opening a gap, Swansea and Sunderland looked dead but they've closed on us. I don't want to be in that position but at Madrid every defeat is a catastrophe and the demands are brutal. Pressure is pressure. That: 'Shit, we have to win.' The next four or five games are crucial."
That run starts at Liverpool on Sunday, although Arbeloa admits that the four matches that follow are likely more decisive: Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester. He will miss out on Anfield, too; he would have loved to return to a stadium special to him, as he did with Madrid, but he is limping as he arrives in Marylebone, his leg purple, swollen and bruised just as he aspired to a rare opportunity. Last Saturday was only his third league appearance of the season. Injuries suggested he might have got a fourth; form suggested he might not have done, except that it is hard to know what his form is actually like with so few chances.
Another reason Arbeloa came was to play, after a final season of limited opportunity in Spain, but he has not. When he got his chance last weekend, for the first time since coming on against Middlesbrough on 1 October, it ended with a heavy defeat. Then came reports that he would be moved on in January, departing in virtual anonymity having arrived feted as a World Cup winner.
A late arrival did not help, Arbeloa insisting that working alone is never the same, "even if you trained 24 hours a day", and he suggests that he and the coach still need time to "connect", but he has not asked for an explanation as to why he has started just one league game all season."You don't ask why when you're playing and you don't ask when you're not," he says. "He's under a lot of pressure; he doesn't need me saying: 'Hey, why aren't I playing?' That would just create tension, another problem to deal with. But I want to play, of course."
Can he though? Is his level good enough any more? "I went almost two months without playing and [against Arsenal] I covered the most distance sprinting and in high intensity," Arbeloa says. "But to really judge it, you need to play more, so I don't know. I do know that I'm killing myself to change things; I haven't just accepted it.
"And I'm not leaving. Sometimes you read things [in the papers] and think: 'Do I say something? Do I ignore it?' I feel like people were misinformed and all I can say is that I'm staying until the summer, no matter what. And no one from West Ham has told me to look for a team or anything."
And then? In January, Arbeloa will be 34. For many players that is retirement age and inactivity tends to nudge players towards the end. It is not a decision he has taken – so long as he feels fit and motivated he intends to continue – and nor has he decided what he will do next. Coaching appeals, especially after Zinedine Zidane told him winning the Champions League as manager was miles better than doing so as a player. "But then," he says with a laugh, "I think about putting up with 25 bastards like me. I'd put a bullet in my head. You're always the bad guy."
He has watched others make the transition and he certainly has some of the attributes – he has had the coaches too, including Benítez, Mourinho, Ancelotti and Del Bosque – but he says that sometimes life, and opportunity, makes decisions for you. Take Jamie Carragher, for example.
"Everyone saw Carragher as a coach but he's as happy as can be on the telly, eh! Relaxed, comfortable. We all said: 'Carragher will be a coach, Stevie [Gerrard] on the telly,' but maybe it'll be the other way around."
Isn't Gerrard a bit quiet to be a coach, though? "And Zidane isn't?" Arbeloa shoots back. "None of us could see it and now look. I've been lucky. I've played with some of the best players in history, but Gerrard's the most complete." More than Zidane? "Could Zidane defend like Steven?" Arbeloa replies, swiftly.
"He defended, he attacked, he was good in the air, he could hit it with his right, with his left, he could head a corner or take it, play everywhere. He could do so much, so well. He has experience, he's worked with good coaches, and if he wants to be a coach, he can.
"You think he's calm but on the pitch he's all passion. You see him flying into a tackle or celebrating a goal and think: 'Calm? Yeah, when he's sleeping maybe …' And if he wants to be a coach there's no better place than Liverpool."
The place West Ham will go on Sunday, travelling to Arbeloa's former home without him. There is that spiral he talks about, so hard to break. When your luck's out, it's out. Summer excitement has given way to this; it could hardly have gone worse so far.
"One of the good things about getting older is you learn with experience and I've learnt that a season isn't September to January; what really matters is January to June, and I hope to be here. I just want to help," he says. "I don't regret coming at all – and the proof of that is that I don't want to go in January; I want to be here to the end."
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