Graham Potter makes ‘midfield blunder’ as West Ham XI confirmed v Liverpool
Graham Potter will want a strong performance from his players as West Ham United take a daunting trip to Liverpool on Sunday.
West Ham go into their game against Liverpool at Anfield on 13 April on the back of a four-game winless run, having played out a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at home in their last outing.
The Reds thrashed the Irons 5-1 at the London Stadium earlier this season and are certain to pose a serious challenge again, as they march towards Premier League glory.
However, Potter will be positive about his chances of silencing the Anfield crowd, having done the same at the Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in February.
The East London outfit are also perhaps catching the league leaders are the right time, as they go into the game on the back of a 3-2 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Two changes v Liverpool
Potter has made two changes to his West Ham team to face Liverpool at Anfield.
The former Chelsea boss has dropped Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek to bring Konstantinos Mavropanos and Carlos Soler into the team.
The decision to draft Mavropanos into the starting line-up despite his defending often leaving much to be desired is understandable.
Potter has seemingly switched back to a three-man defence in a bid to tighten things at the back, as he successfully did against Arsenal.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points | Form |
| 1. Liverpool | 31 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 42 | 73 | WWWWL |
| 16. West Ham | 31 | 9 | 8 | 14 | -17 | 35 | WLDLD |
However, it looks like West Ham are lacking a midfield enforcer in this lineup.
While Ward-Prowse and Soler are capable of operating as deep-lying midfielders, West Ham would have benefited from having someone who can make crunch tackles.
This risk may come back to haunt the Hammers.
It is worth noting that Potter started both Alvarez and Soucek in the win against Arsenal.
West Ham confirmed XI at Anfield
Alphonse Areola continues in goal, with Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Mavropanos forming the back three.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Oliver Scarles provide width from the wing-back positions, while Soler, Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta play in midfield.
Jarrod Bowen continues to lead the line for West Ham, with Mohammed Kudus joining him up top again despite Niclas Fullkrug’s goal-scoring performance against the Cherries.
Potter also has the likes of Evan Ferguson, Luis Guilherme and Emerson available on the bench to call on if needed.