Liverpool host West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday evening looking to build momentum in a tight race for European places, while the Hammers desperately need points to pull clear of a relegation battle that is growing more urgent by the week. Arne Slot's Reds sit sixth on 45 points, eight places and 20 points above Nuno Espírito Santo's side, who are 18th with 25 points from 27 games. With Liverpool needing wins to close the gap on the top five and West Ham six points from safety, the stakes could not be more different for the two managers going into this one.
Liverpool head into Saturday having won three of their last four in the league, with last Sunday's 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest their most recent outing. Slot's side made the trip to the City Ground and secured all three points with a clean sheet, a result that continued their habit of grinding out results on the road. Their only league stumble recently was a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City on 8 February, a result that dented their European ambitions but has not derailed them. Four wins from five across all competitions reflects a side that knows how to find results when it matters, and Anfield remains a difficult venue for visiting sides.
West Ham arrive in poor shape, without a league win in their last three attempts. Nuno's side drew 0-0 at home to Bournemouth last Saturday, a result that followed a 1-1 home draw with Manchester United and another goalless draw against Burton Albion in the FA Cup. Their most recent three points in the league came on 7 February, a 2-0 win at Burnley. The Hammers have conceded 49 league goals this season and have mustered just 32 at the other end — a goal difference of minus 17 that encapsulates their problems on both sides of the ball. With six wins all season, Nuno faces a significant challenge to preserve top-flight status.
Liverpool have been dominant in this fixture over the years, winning 35 of the last 53 meetings compared to West Ham's eight. The recent history makes for grim reading for Hammers supporters too: Liverpool thrashed them 5-0 at London Stadium in December 2024, 5-1 in the EFL Cup in September 2024, and claimed a 2-1 win at Anfield in April 2025. Their most recent clash came at London Stadium in November 2025, where Liverpool came away with a 2-0 victory. West Ham's only win in their last 20 attempts against Liverpool stretches back to 2021, when they edged a 3-2 result in the capital.
My prediction is Both Teams to Score at 1.62. Liverpool's xG of 1.96 for this fixture points to them having enough firepower to find the net, while West Ham — despite their defensive frailties — have shown enough bite in away fixtures to threaten. The Hammers scored at Chelsea, Burnley and drew at Arsenal this season, suggesting they are capable of contributing to an open game even on the road. Liverpool's home record has not been impenetrable either, with City already winning 2-1 at Anfield this season. Nuno's side will likely press high on the counter, and with 25 goals conceded away from home, a clean sheet for the hosts is far from guaranteed. The xG projection (1.96–0.99) supports a 2-1 finish.
