Liverpool vs West Ham teams news, prediction and preview as Jurgen Klopp’s title hopefuls take on new-look Hammers
Klopp has splashed out £176million on four players over the summer in an effort to rival Man City while new West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has made huge changes to his squad at the London Stadium
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
LIVERPOOL take on West Ham in their opening match having to deal with the expectation of being tipped as the biggest threat to Manchester City's title hopes.
Jurgen Klopp has splashed out £176million strengthening his Champions League runners-up from last season - and the result is a squad that even supporters feel could finally end the long wait to be crowned Premier League champions.
Now Liverpool have to prove they are the real deal, starting with the home clash against a Hammers side that also looks to have improved from the last campaign.
New manager Manuel Pellegrini has signed seven players so far, and hopes to have another couple on board by the close of the transfer window.
Which channel is it on and can I live stream it?
You can watch this game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football..
To stream the game live, you can buy a Sky Sports Day Pass from
Or you can save £160 across the season with a 10 month season pass.
Look ahead to the weekend
Key Man
Liverpool: Mo Salah
Made such a huge impact last season on the way to being crowned PFA player of the year, but now he has to show he is not a one-season wonder.
Salah's shoulder injury prevented him from shining at the World Cup so he is no longer riding the crest of the wave and will be a marked man this year.
But the Egyptian has pace to burn and loves nothing better than exploiting gaps in opposition defence, so a Hammers side still getting used to playing with each other will whet his appetite.
West Ham: Jack Wilshere
They may have forked out £41m on Felipe Anderson, but it will be Wilshere who West Ham will want to make them tick.
Ability has never been in doubt, and the midfielder insists the fitness worries are now a thing of the past so will be looking to make a major statement having joined the club he supported as a boy.
Will be vital he gets on the ball and dictates play up against a Liverpool side with quality to burn in midfield.
Fashion Victim
Roberto Firmino: Dodgy clothes, hairstyle, tattoos and the brightest teeth known to mankind, Firmino boasts a complete set when it comes to being a slave to fashion.
Likely team news
Liverpool: Goalkeeper Alisson along with midfielders Fabinho and Naby Keita look set to make their debuts, while Xherdan Shaqiri may have to be content with a place on the bench.
Probable team: Alisson, Clyne, Matip, Van-Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Milner, Mane, Firmino, Salah
West Ham: Pellegrini is still trying to work out his best side, but he is likely to send out several of the new faces for their Hammers debuts.
Probable team: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Diop, Masuaka, Noble, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Anderson, Arnautovic
Most read in football
The Stat that Matters
Liverpool have hit West Ham for four in each of their last three matches, conceding just twice.
What the managers said
Jurgen Klopp on challenging for the title: "We have to be in a championship mode. It's like you jump into the water, you dive in and we go for it until we don't have air or oxygen anymore. That's the plan to really go for it.
"A lot of people think because we were active in the transfer window we will [be City's biggest challengers] but that's all part of the business. That does not decide anything.
"The champions are Manchester City and they didn't lose any player and brought in [Riyad] Mahrez so they are not weaker. We saw the [Community Shield] game against Chelsea and both sides were impressive.
"We are still Rocky Balboa and not Ivan Drago. We are the ones who have to do more and fight more. That must be our attitude."
Manuel Pellegrini after spending vast sums in the transfer market: “I never knew a manager that didn't have pressure.
“No matter how much he spends [on transfers]. The pressure is the same in every game because the Premier League is a competitive league and pressure always exists.
“Every team spent money so the pressure doesn't increase.”
Prediction
Liverpool 3 West Ham 1
The match is live on TalkSPORT - for more info.
Sign up for Dream Team 2018/19 now
- Dream Team is back and better than ever ahead of the new Premier League season
- Completely free to play
- £400k jackpot up for grabs across the season