West Ham vs. Liverpool - Three things to look out for.

Dimitri Payet’s return.

On the 9th of November it was announced that Dimitri Payet would be out for three months after suffering an ankle injury against Everton. This came as a massive blow to the Hammers as we all know that Payet was performing as one of the best playmakers in the league, if not the world. Slaven Bilic has teased the possibility of Payet returning to the squad to face Liverpool which is incredible considering he was not supposed to return until February at the earliest. With five goals and three assists in twelve games his absence from the team was conspicuous as we have only scored five times in the seven games he has missed since he has been injured (with the Hammers only winning one of those games). There is no doubt that having Payet back in the team will be a boost as his creativity, flair and movement has been sorely missed and him facing the unconvincing Liverpool defence is a mouthwatering prospect to say the least.

Can Michail Antonio follow on from his MOTM performance?

It took thirteen minutes for Southampton to score their first (and only) goal on Monday through Carl Jenkinson. Having not won in eight games, there was a firm belief amongst West Ham fans that this would simply be another loss and more points dropped, slipping further down the table. Then came that goal from Antonio in the 69th minute to make it 1-1. Quick, strong and not afraid to beat his man his assist for Andy Carroll ten minutes later proved to be vital, winning us the game and three points, something that hadn’t happened since we beat Chelsea in October. Having signed from Nottingham Forest in September for a rumoured £7m, we all expected Antonio to take time to settle in and adapt to the tough demands of the Premier League. The form of both Payet and Victor Moses has meant that Antonio has been limited in terms of his opportunities but he showed against Southampton that he has the capability to perform as well as his team-mates and be a match winner. It will be interesting to see if Antonio does start against Liverpool given the return of both Payet and Moses but his man of the match performance against Southampton cannot be overlooked.

Key Battle- Aaron Cresswell v. Adam Lallana.

After having missed out on his first game of the Premier League season against Southampton on Monday, Cresswell is expected to return to the starting XI and replace Carl Jenkinson. Like his counterpart, Cresswell loves to get forward but with Jurgen Klopp now in charge of Liverpool their gegenpressing means that he will be pressed high up the pitch, limiting his opportunities to get forward. He will most likely be up against Lallana, a player who loves to drift in with the ball and drag the defender along with him. With Lallana being equally as good on both feet, Cresswell will need to show his defensive discipline with the worry of Nathaniel Clyne also bombing down the wings. Facing one of the most skilful players in the Premier League, Saturday’s clash will no doubt be a test for our #3.