MatchThe opposition lowdown: West Ham United

Recent form

West Ham head into the game following a 1-0 win at Southampton on Boxing Day.

Prior to their visit to St Mary's, the Hammers played out a 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1.

Julen Lopetegui's outfit were beaten by Leicester City and Arsenal but claimed a 2-0 away success over Newcastle United as part of a mixed run of form in their last six top-flight outings.

They are sitting 13th in the Premier League after 18 games, having gathered 23 points.

One to watch

Jarrod Bowen has been the key man for West Ham in front of goal this term, netting five times in the Premier League. Tomas Soucek, who is suspended for the Liverpool game, is next best with four.

Bowen also leads his team in the assists category, playing the decisive pass on four separate occasions.

Team news

Soucek is suspended along with fellow midfielder Guido Rodriguez after collecting five yellow cards in the Premier League.

Lukasz Fabianski, Maximilian Kilman and Carlos Soler were forced off at Southampton due to injury and are expected to be unavailable. Michail Antonio is also out.

What was said

West Ham head coach, Lopetegui

"I think with Liverpool we are talking about the best team in the Premier League by far at the moment. So we know we need to be aware of their threats and be ready, just like we have to be for every game in this division.

"We are not afraid of them but we do respect them, like all of the teams. They have top players, a very good coach, and they are doing very well at the top of the league right now.

"But we have to believe in our own strengths and look at what is possible for us to do in the match. We are happy to have these kind of matches at home because we know the difficulties but we have great belief in our players."

Previous meetings

The two sides have already met this season – at Anfield in September for a Carabao Cup third-round tie.

Liverpool were 5-1 winners on the night thanks to doubles from Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo alongside a Mohamed Salah strike.

A 2-2 draw in the league was played out last season at London Stadium back in April, with Liverpool winning the earlier meeting 3-1 at home.

Pre-match stats

Liverpool have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight Premier League away games against West Ham, including in each of the last five in a row.

The Reds have lost their final league game in just one of the last 10 calendar years.

West Ham are unbeaten in four Premier League games (won two, drawn two) – last having a longer run without defeat between December and February last season (six).

The Hammers are also looking to win consecutive league games for the first time since March.

Salah has been involved in 15 goals in 16 appearances against West Ham in all competitions (12 goals, three assists), including seven in seven against them at London Stadium (five goals, two assists).