Can Liverpool continue to improve against West Ham United?

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Tottenham verses Liverpool, 28th January 2021. Big fixtures like this one are often regarded as six-pointers because of their importance on the game. This one was no exception. This year’s tumultuous Premier League is largely a result of a condensed, intensive Covid-19 enforced season. The ever changing league table – teams hustling for positions as well as consistency of form – have made these fixtures all the more tense over the first half of the 2020/21 season.

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Tottenham showed impressive form at the beginning of the season, topping the table and destroying many a tough opposition. Both Son Heung-min and Harry Kane between them clinically finishing off opponents.

Additionally, Liverpool were visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having faced a poor run of form in recent weeks, presenting performances no where near their clinical best. Their performances of late stunted in comparison to those we all became accustomed to them displaying last season. If Liverpool failed to comeaway with three points, as they have done on trips to Craven Cottage, The Hawthornes and St James Park recently, then most would have considered their chances of labelling this season a successful one futile.

During their poor run of form, particular players have failed to shine in the same manner they did during Liverpool’s 2019/20 title winning season. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino have both come under intense scrutinity and have also faced a fair amount of criticism since Liverpool lost their foothold at the top of the Premier League. Despite that, these two players were arguably the best two on the park at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night. Both had a clear point to prove.

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Today, Sunday 31st of January, Liverpool play their next fixture of a condensed January list. A second trip of the week to the capital. A trip to David Moyes’ flying West Ham. Another challenge for Jürgen Klopp’s men; another win necessary.

West Ham have, of late, been in stunning form. Silent but fatal; a recent surge in results seeing them leapfrog both Liverpool and Tottenham into 4th place in the league.

A second six-pointer; a game asserting a teams dominance over the other. A tell, which team is ultimately going to do better than the other. One taking three points for themselves, whilst also taking three points from the other.

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Based on the Tottenham game, some Liverpool players need highlighting – players that need some credit, but also need to demonstrate another performance of the same quality to demonstrate the consistency that we Liverpool fans desire. The consistency we want to see in order to be reassured that our beloved team is back on track and were only facing a brief blip.

As always, Jordan Henderson proved again why he is captain of this club. His composure and vocal direction on the pitch was missed against Burnley, the game in which Liverpool lost their impressive home record. It’s clear that when Henderson, Milner and Virgil Van Dijk are not on the pitch that leadership is missing. Although all of our players are excellent players, when Henderson and understudy Milner are missing, it begs the question ‘who is that commanding voice?’ Henderson’s presence is underrated and one that cannot be taken for granted. Taking on a new role at centre back, Henderson has found himself filling in during Liverpool’s time of need. Although not always comfortable in this role, Henderson can only be awarded credit for the way he’s filled in in this position with Liverpool having no other viable options. Likely to be playing centre back again against West Ham – Klopp has confirmed Fabinho will not be fit in time – we can but hope that he continues to display the quality he has despite the threat West Ham pose with dangers such as Tomas Soucek, Michail Antonio and new signing Said Benrahma.

Alexander-Arnold has made his name over the past couple of seasons as one of England’s most promising right-backs. Establishing yourself in a high calbre team like Liverpool’s is challenging enough as an experienced player, but as a new kid, fresh from the academy, this is ten times harder. It is even harder again when you consider the weight of expectation held by-reds fans. Trent has surpassed all possible expectations, yet his performances recently have not mirrored his usual impeccable standards. Against Spurs however, Trent showed signs of revival. In the first half, there were some wayward crosses that didn’t have much of a destination, or were at least not accurate in execution, but by the end of the game it was clear to see that he isn’t just a two season wonder-kid, but rather him and his quality are here to stay.

Every Liverpool fan will know the passion Alexander-Arnold has for the club. They will also know that he is incredibly competitive and therefore there was no chance he would have allowed himself to continue under-performing. Against Tottenham on Thursday night he showed signs of a return to his usual self. His high pressing and link-up play with Mohammed Salah was reminiscent of that shown so beautifully last season. His energy had returned and his efforts were granted their just rewards with a goal scored after halftime. However we need to see more. Let’s keep this going against the Hammers please Trent.

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I have long been a fan of Roberto Firmino and find myself continually justifying why he is intrinsic to the Liverpool way under Jürgen Klopp. Often he is over looked because he has fewer goals to his name than Mo Salah and Sadio Mané. However, his effort off of the ball is arguably the most significant reason why the other two have such a high goal tally themselves. More recently I have questioned Bobby’s form myself, citing a dip in confidence and lack of influence on games, yet just like his teammate Alexander-Arnold, Firmino took to the Spurs game like a duck to water. He was creative, energetic and, excitingly for him, on score sheet. His presence was undeniably influential and his goal a positive for Liverpool players and fans alike. We can only hope that his dip in form was a blip and that the Bobby we saw in London is back for good.

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I have to say that seeing Nathaniel Phillips coming on at half time filled me with dread. Although not because I was worried about Phillips. I’ve always said he’s much the better choice of Liverpool’s junior centre backs. This issue was that Klopp is never one to act defensively and go for three centre backs. Therefore, it immediately pointed to one of the Liverpool defensive line being injured. Another one. Another centre back injury.

For some reason, I didn’t consider it to be Joel Matip. Despite his inability to stay fit, my biggest worry was Jordan Henderson, our captain, our make-shift centre back.

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However, on came youngster Phillips. In place of Matip. Now, out of the two junior centre backs Liverpool have used to full in their gaping defence, Phillips to me is the more obvious choice when needed. Whilst Rhys Williams of course has some potential there’s no doubting that Phillips is more physical and holds a stronger aerial presence. Something necessary for physical opposition which both Tottenham and West Ham are. Yet on plenty of occasions the boss has favoured Williams over Phillips. After the Tottenham game, it is surely clear to every football fan that Phillips should be the one starting in the back two.

Even when Fabinho (another brilliant make-shift centre back) returns from his muscle strain, it’s worth Klopp considering starting Phillips and Fabinho at the back together. This allowing our largely influential captain Henderson to push forward, control the middle of the park and play quality passes into the front three like he did for Bobby’s opener on Thursday night in London.

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Finally, the unsung hero. The man that always deserves the credit but never receives enough. James Milner. Usually seen as a back-up defensive option, Milner proved against Tottenham why he is a viable midfield option for Liverpool. This was initially shown Against Manchester United in the FA cup tie last weekend. Here he solidified himself as a necessary midfielder in the current Liverpool make-up.

Whist always defensively robust, Milner offered certainty, energy and excitement our front three. Qualities that have been missing since the untimely loss of Virgil Van Dijk. Liverpool have been experiencing not only a goal-drought but a lack of creativity from across the entire team. Against both Tottenham and Manchester United, Milner’s impact was invaluable. He was everywhere, defending, attacking and not shying away from any challenge. He offered support to Henderson, filling in for him when he was covering the fullbacks in his usual manner. Milner also offered threat with some gorgeous play shown between him, Andy Robertson and Sadio Mané. Milner is an intrinsic part of this team and someone who I can only hope is given more game time to prove the quality he has that has contributed to his longevity at this level.

Despite this, there are still things to work on. This improvement in quality needs to be consistent, against multiple opposition, first West Ham. Can Liverpool do it in the capital this afternoon? What are your predictions?

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