‘Rampant Liverpool’ are good viewing at the moment. As neutrals enjoy the rarity of a lack of either Manchester team in the top four, The Reds are looking to capitalise on others’ slumps and extend their own lead at the top of the Premier League and are surely hoping for another win against West Ham tomorrow.
Currently six points ahead of nearest rivals Arsenal, Liverpool also have the game in hand which tomorrow’s LondonStadium clash represents. Most would expect this lead to be nine points by the end of this weekend.
The visit to London Stadium on Sunday afternoon will be shown live on Sky in the UK and around the world. It has ‘prime time’ USA viewing with the game being shown live on NBC at lunchtime Eastern time – and therefore South America too – and across the Middle East and Far East.
It is an opportunity therefore for a couple of players who are reportedly ‘seeking moves’ to put themselves in the shop window: Whether they ultimately stay or leave in January, both Lucas Paquetá and Mohammed Kudus have a golden opportunity to show what they are made of by addressing their own poor form and raise their games: What better time to sparkle than against the Premier League’s finest with a truly world-wide audience looking on.
A Kudus solo effort or a Paquetá magical moment could remind the football world of what they have to offer, enhance their own reputations and do West Ham no harm at all. It is in these moments against the best sides that world class players raise their own games. You’d hope their own agents have been on the phone to their star assets reminding them of the opportunities this game represents.
For West Ham it can only be better than the previous meeting at Anfield. The London Stadium crowd would love to see a moment of magic or, if nothing else, at least 100% commitment from the Hammers’ two lacklustre stars. The Irons do have it in them to raise their game against top opposition – the surprise victory against Newcastle earlier this Autumn goes to show what is possible.
This Premier League campaign has shown just what a united ‘team’ can do : Nottingham Forest sit in the top four. Either Kudus, or Paquetá can become game changers again. Cometh the hour..
