Liverpool face injury absences for West Ham visit, Jurgen Klopp wowed by Jarrod Bowen
Jurgen Klopp may be missing three members of his midfield when West Ham visit Anfield, and he has again spoken of his admiration for Jarrod Bowen.
The Hammers go into the game off the back of the limp FA Cup exit to Southampton, while the only games the hosts on Saturday (5 March) haven’t won since 2 January have been in the Carabao Cup, which they won on penalties against Chelsea.
But David Moyes should be boosted by the fact that Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara, and potentially Curtis Jones will all be missing from the midfield, in addition to Joel Matip in defence, according to the Liverpool boss in his pre-match press conference.
The Scot will be less enamored with the Liverpool boss’ comments on Irons attacker Bowen, considering the Reds have been increasingly linked with a move for him.
The Anfield boss said ahead of the game, via journalist Richard Buxton on Twitter: “Bowen, what a player he became. He was at Hull as well but I don’t think anybody expected this kind of jump”
He is also commented when asked about Moyes’ notoriously poor record away at Liverpool saying, via Buxton: “Long may it continue!”
Good news and bad news
Although the league results have not been bad of late, the performances have not inspired a great deal of confidence.
The first team look worn out and the manager appears not to trust his wider squad, which he failed to strengthen in January.
The strong line-up that he chose for the FA Cup tie was soundly beaten by a much-changed Southampton side, so the prospect of much in the trip to title-chasing Liverpool is not great.
But fans will sense a slight opportunity if they can put pressure on a midfield missing numbers, despite the fearsome attack the hosts possess.
The worry with Klopp talking so glowingly of Bowen is that he is planning to add the 25-year-old to that attack.
Caught Offside reported this week that despite buying Luis Diaz in January the German could come in for the Irons star in the summer, with the club set to demand £75million if it happens.
A good performance in a West Ham shirt at Anfield this weekend will be what fans want to see, but it could hasten the exit back there after the season.
In other West Ham news, Declan Rice has shared what has kept him at the club after he won another award.
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