Monday 8 February 2016 15:27, UK
Slaven Bilic has warned West Ham they must be aware of Liverpool's attacking threat ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round replay.
The Hammers are yet to lose to Liverpool this season, having completed a Premier League double over the Reds and gained a battling goalless draw at Anfield on January 30 to earn a replay at the Boleyn Ground.
Daniel Sturridge is in line to make his return from injury against West Ham on Tuesday night, but Bilic says his side must be "prepared" to deal with Liverpool's offensive options.
"Daniel Sturridge is a great player and has been injured. This is the third time we have played Liverpool and they have had different line-ups," the West Ham manager said.
"We are well prepared for whatever team they come with. We will know that one hour before the game and it is not a big problem.
"If it is not Sturridge, it will be (Christian) Benteke. They have a lot of good strikers and the difference is the midfield.
"Liverpool are a big club and have had their ups and downs this season. Make no mistake you have to close them down and can't give them time."
Jurgen Klopp missed Liverpool's 2-2 home draw with Sunderland after falling ill prior to the match and then undergoing a successful operation to remove his appendix.
The result left Liverpool ninth in the Premier League table, 12 points adrift of Manchester City in the fourth and final Champions League position.
Klopp has won just 12 of his 28 matches since replacing Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager in October.
The German has confirmed he will be back in the dugout at Upton Park, and Bilic was asked if he felt Klopp was rushing his return because of increasing pressure.
Bilic said: "I don't think Klopp will be back because of the pressure. He will be back because he is like that.
"He is the leader. He is Jurgen Klopp and is a successful man. He likes to work. For him this is natural and he wants to be back."
Bilic also confirmed he expects to be without James Tomkins for a few weeks, with the defender set to undergo a scan on the calf injury he suffered in the 1-0 defeat at Southampton on Saturday.
With January signing Sam Bryam cup-tied, having played for Leeds in the third round against Rotherham, Bilic is set to hand Joey O'Brien his first start since July.
He added: "Joey is a good player. It is a big blow that Tomkins is out now. It is a good thing that we have Sam and Joey back. We are well covered."
