West Ham Look to Exploit Liverpool’s Turmoil in Crucial Premier League Clash
West Ham enter today’s showdown against a struggling Liverpool side with confidence restored under Nuno Espirito Santo. With the champions in disarray, the Hammers sense an opportunity for a statement victory at the London Stadium.
West Ham United host Liverpool at the London Stadium this afternoon in a Premier League fixture that suddenly feels far more balanced than it did a year ago. Kick-off is set for 14:05 UK time, and the mood among the home supporters is cautiously optimistic as Nuno Espirito Santo continues to steady the ship.
The Portuguese tactician has brought calm and structure to a side that looked lost earlier in the season. November has been kind to West Ham—unbeaten across the month with two victories and a draw, both wins coming on home soil. Confidence has crept back in, the defensive line looks more organised, and the players appear to have bought fully into Nuno’s disciplined approach.
This afternoon, Nuno goes hunting for his biggest scalp yet: champions Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s side travel to east London in complete disarray. Liverpool’s form has disintegrated at an alarming rate under the Dutchman, with performances lacking both identity and conviction. Despite still being labelled favourites, they arrive wounded and vulnerable, and very few neutrals would blink if they slumped to yet another defeat.
The contrast to last season is staggering. Liverpool hammered West Ham 5-0 at this very stadium during their title-winning campaign, looking every inch the dominant force of the Premier League. But the summer overhaul ushered in by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes has pushed the club into a turbulent rebuild. The Klopp era is well and truly over, and the adjustment has been anything but smooth.
West Ham, meanwhile, haven’t beaten Liverpool since their memorable 3-2 victory in 2021. Today presents their best chance in years. Three points would lift them clear of the relegation struggle, where they currently sit level on points with Leeds United, who occupy third from bottom. A victory could be worth far more than bragging rights it could define their trajectory for the rest of the season.
Nuno has opted for a solid, hard-working lineup. Alphonse Areola starts in goal, shielded by a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and El Hadji Malick Diouf. In midfield, Soungoutou Magassa, Freddie Potts, and Mateus Fernandes provide energy and defensive cover. Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta play just behind Callum Wilson, who leads the line with responsibility on his shoulders.
Nuno may need his bench to influence proceedings, with Tomas Soucek and Niclas Fullkrug among the notable options if the game tilts into a physical or tactical battle.
This fixture used to be predictable. Today, it is anything but. West Ham arrive confident, Liverpool arrive rattled, and the London Stadium will be buzzing with the belief that something big might be brewing.
