Liverpool v West Ham preview: Jurgen Klopp tells players to deliver on expectations

Jurgen Klopp understands why expectations are high at Liverpool after the club added some impressive players in the summer transfer window.

The Reds brought in Brazilians Alisson Becker and Fabinho, a goalkeeper and utility player, plus Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke and Guinea midfielder Naby Keita from RB Leipzig.

Many pundits see Liverpool as the team most likely to challenge champions Manchester City for the Premier League title, and Klopp said: "My own expectations are always high.

Live Renault Super Sunday

"Make the best of it. It was pretty normal there would be one season when we would spend more money. We had to create a squad which is strong enough and wide enough to cope with the Premier League.

"People ask me already if it's the best squad we have ever had - I don't think about that because it's not about what we have now, it's about what we make of it.

Advertisement

New season offer

Upgrade to Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football now for just £18 a month. Cancel any time.

"It's about how often we deliver."

New manager Manuel Pellegrini is confident West Ham have built a squad to be competitive in the Premier League.

Also See:

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his side are underdogs for the Premier League title this season

The Hammers have spent around £100m on nine new signings this summer including Lucas Perez, Andriy Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson.

Ahead of the season opener at Liverpool on Sunday, Pellegrini said: "When I talked with the owners, we agreed we needed to work on a project.

Image: Manuel Pellegrini is confident West Ham have built a competitive squad

"They wanted to invest money to bring in players. We have improved the squad, all of the players are here because I asked for them.

"For me as a manager, it's difficult when you don't have options. We have options, I choose the starting XI and they know that during the whole season, you need a strong squad.

"We have two players in each position and they must work in a competitive way and it's my duty to pick the team I think is the best."

Team news

New signing Fabinho faces a late fitness test before Klopp decides whether he can make his debut at home to West Ham on Sunday.

The Brazilian had a scan on a muscle injury on Thursday but although that came back clear the midfielder was sent home from training after feeling unwell.

Joe Gomez is expected to be fit after missing Tuesday's friendly against Torino but fellow defenders Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip are unlikely to be ready while World Cup finalist Dejan Lovren will not be considered having only returned from extended leave at the weekend.

Image: Joe Gomez will be available for selection and could play at centre back

West Ham will be without Andy Carroll (ankle), Winston Reid (knee), and Manuel Lanzini (ACL), while Yarmolenko (hip) is a doubt.

Edimilson Fernandes has a slight knock but Pellegrini confirmed the rest of his squad is fit.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini says having too many players in his squad actually promotes healthy competition

Match stats

  • Liverpool have won each of their last three league games against West Ham, scoring four goals in each of those victories; they've never scored 4+ goals in four consecutive top-flight games against a single opponent.
  • Against no other side have West Ham lost more top-flight games than against Liverpool (61, level with Everton).
  • West Ham have won only one of their last 45 top-flight visits to Anfield to face Liverpool (D12 L32), with that win coming in August 2015 (3-0).
  • West Ham have lost their season opener 11 times in the Premier League, more than any other side.
  • Liverpool have scored four goals in each of their last three Premier League clashes with West Ham - the only side to have scored 4+ against another in four straight games in the competition are Tottenham against Stoke.
  • Sadio Mane has been directly involved in four goals in his three Premier League appearances for Liverpool against West Ham (1 goal, 3 assists).
  • The last Liverpool player to score in three consecutive opening top-flight fixtures - as Sadio Mane could do - was John Barnes between 1989-90 and 1991-92.
  • New West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has lost more Premier League games against Liverpool than he has vs any other opponent in the competition (P6 W2 D0 L4).
Premier League weekend preview

Merson's prediction

I can't see anything but a Liverpool win. West Ham have bought well but so have Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp has targeted where he needs to strengthen and I expect Alisson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri to improve them.
They look a really good team and this is a really tough start for Manuel Pellegrini.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)

Get Sky Sports' dedicated football channels with our new season offer to watch over 500 live games this season. Find out more.

Fantasy Football is back!

Fantasy just got real. Pick your Sky Sports Fantasy Football team for free here.

Outbrain