Andy Irving to start for West Ham United v Liverpool after what he did
Frank McAvennie has backed Andy Irving to become a West Ham regular if he can build upon his short cameo against Chelsea on Saturday (21 September).
The 24-year-old midfielder finally earned his Hammers debut since arriving last summer, having been sent back out on loan, proving himself in the 3-0 defeat to the Blues.
Julen Lopetegui is beginning to feel the heat at the London Stadium, and with Liverpool up next in the EFL Cup on Wednesday 25 September, Irving has been backed for a starting spot at Anfield.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I think he’ll be playing, that’s why he was brought on [against Chelsea]. If you go to Anfield and show you belong in a West Ham team, you’ll be a regular. This is where you go to earn your points.
“If this boy can stand up and be counted in the heat of Anfield, it’ll help big time. I thought he did alright when he came on but he just didn’t get enough time. I like to see everyone firing but he was doing it all himself.
“For me, he certainly did enough to start. Put him into the centre of midfield, definitely. If that means leaving Tomas Soucek or Edson Alvarez out, who cares? We need the best of everyone at Anfield. If they’re not at their best, they’ll get turned over.”
Andy Irving earns starting XI spot ahead of West Ham United v Liverpool
Despite playing just 18 minutes against Chelsea, the Scot showed far more than Guido Rodriguez or Edson Alvarez did in the middle of the park.
With the manager already under pressure due to a tough start to the campaign – three Premier League losses from five games – the Spaniard can stake a real claim against the Reds on Wednesday.
However, with the Premier League being the main focus for the Hammers this season, Lopetegui could look to change the starting lineup, and Irving has done more than enough to play.
In other West Ham news, one of Liverpool’s stars has been ruled out of the clash at Anfield.
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