Liverpool Vs West Ham – 3 key Battles

Liverpool’s current goals per game ratio is the best of any English team since the Second World War and maybe just maybe this Liverpool side under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers is on the cusp of something truly extraordinary. However to achieve that Liverpool must win 8 ‘cup finals’ continuously and their first ‘cup final’ starts against West Ham United.

While most have earmarked the games against Chelsea and Manchester City as the potential title deciders, it would all come to naught if the Merseyside team fails to beat Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United side on Sunday.

The three key battles which will decide the Sunday Battle Royale between Liverpool and West Ham United are discussed below.

Battle of Andy Carroll with the Liverpool defense:

While Andy Carroll arrived at Liverpool on the same day as one Luis Suarez, the contrasting fortunes of the player meant that the £35 million signing had to be let go. Facing Liverpool for the first time since being let go by the Merseyside club, it would be safe to assume that Carroll will not be short on motivation when playing against his former club on Sunday. Having scored one and assisted one away against Sunderland this big burly central forward will also not be short of confidence at the Boleyn Ground.

While Liverpool has been nothing short of class going forward their defence is still a bit of suspect even after Kolo Toure losing his place in the starting eleven. Come the last day of the Premier League race will it be Andy Carroll who cruelly shatters Liverpool’s hope of a first Premier League trophy?

Battle of Liverpool against West Ham United’s home record:

While not so long ago West Ham United were regularly being trumped by other sides, Sam Allardyce’s men have had a wonderful recovery and are one of the in form sides at the moment. While Liverpool go into this match being the rightful favorites we should remember that the Hammers have won the last 4 out of their 5 home matches (the only defeat came against Manchester United).

In fact the last match they defeated Sunderland which makes West Ham United a confident side on the eve of facing Liverpool. So for all the form and grit West Ham United are displaying at the moment will Liverpool’s star players Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling and company display that little bit of magic which ensures that Liverpool leave Boleyn Ground with all three points?

West Ham United’s capacity to keep out Luis Suarez:

For all the talk about form and grit from the West Ham United side, this is probably the biggest and the only one which will really matter at the end. Will West Ham United’s players keep their defensive shape and actually deny Luis Suarez from performing at his best? Because if a world class player like Luis Suarez performs then nothing else matters on the day. It will be interesting to observe how Luis Suarez copes with the pressure of performing at a world class level match in and match out. If Liverpool pick up all three points, they are the favourites to win the closest title race in the best part of this decade.