Michail Antonio ruled out of West Ham trip to Liverpool
West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed that forward Michail Antonio will miss the Hammers’ trip to Liverpool on Saturday.
Antonio, 30, has started all six of West Ham’s Premier League fixtures so far this season but has been forced off in the last two games where the Irons have drawn with Tottenham and Manchester City.
However, it seems that those minor injuries have built up to the point where Antonio simply cannot play this weekend against the reigning Premier League champions.
Moyes is fully aware of how vital Antonio has been to his side’s early-season form but has assured fans that his setback isn’t serious.
“Michail has been great for us and he’s played really, really well, he’s an important member of the team,” said Moyes on Friday, as quoted via the club’s official website.
“He came off against Spurs and just felt something. He played against Manchester City and he just felt it again.
“We don’t think it’s too bad, but it’s enough to keep him out of this game against Liverpool.”
Moyes now has to decide who will replace Antonio ahead of playing Liverpool at Anfield.
Sebastien Haller is the most obvious choice as he’s a like-for-like replacement in the centre-forward position.
However, the Frenchman has hardly been prolific in the Premier League since joining the Irons last year from Frankfurt, with just eight goals in 37 outings in the top-flight.
Andriy Yarmolenko is another option for Moyes.
The Ukraine international hasn’t scored in the Premier League this season and is more naturally a winger, but he has shown he can play as a centre-forward during his career.
Another shout would be Jarrod Bowen.
The former Hull attacker has started every Premier League match this season for the Hammers and has played as a striker at both the London Stadium and KCOM.
If it was down to us, we’d probably go with Bowen as a striker and Yarmolenko replacing him on the right-wing.
Liverpool play with a very high press and can be exposed by pacey players.
Bowen and Yarmolenko are two of the fastest players that West Ham have got and could cause some serious damage to the Reds.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are keen on signing Sheffield United contract rebel John Lundstram.