West Ham should start with Aaron Cresswell v Liverpool
West Ham face a herculean task in picking up points from their next Premier League game as they face Liverpool at Anfield.
The Hammers have managed only one win from their last 51 visits to Anfield, while David Moyes is yet to register a Premier League win at the iconic venue as a manager.
Liverpool need to win to close the gap with Manchester City, while West Ham cannot afford to drop further points in the race for the top-four.
The Reds have one of the strongest defences in the league, with Virgil van Dijk returning to his best form. The likes of Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate have been superb as well.
In the forward department, they have players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota. And then there’s Luiz Diaz who has been outstanding so far.
So, how can Moyes stop Liverpool?
Keeping all the factors in mind, Moyes should start with Aaron Cresswell for this game. He didn’t feature against Southampton but should make a return to the starting line-up.
Cresswell has been criticised for his lack of mobility, but it is his other qualities that could come in handy against the Reds.
His experience and strong positional sense could see him staying close to Salah, and preventing Trent Alexander-Arnold from making those sharp crosses.
Pablo Fornals has done well in the left wing-back role, but those two cannot be allowed plenty of free space. Even then, it would still be difficult, but in theory, Cresswell would be a better option.
The Hammers are struggling to score and they may have to rely on set-pieces to break Liverpool’s defence. Cresswell, who was hailed as “wonderful” by Michael Brown on BBC Sport against Wolves, can be effective here, having provided six assists in all competitions.
In theory, if he sticks to the plan, he could frustrate the Reds duo and scupper Jurgen Klopp’s tactical plans.
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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