On Brendan Rodgers: I have met many different kinds of manager in my 41 years involved in football. He is one of the most genuine, thoughtful and quietly inspirational men I have encountered. MATCH PREVIEW Liverpool are attracting global recognition after their wonderful unbeaten 2014 league run has seen them rise from outsiders for a top-four place to title favourites in many eyes. Brazils World Cup-winning captain Cafu has taken a shine to England prospect Jon Flanagan, with the legendary full-back taking to Twitter after the table toppers romp over Spurs to write: Good to see the Red Cafu is playing well. Brendan Rodgers says the team are enjoying their position at the summit but the immediate task is this banana-skin game. Imagine if they beat Manchester City and Chelsea in the coming weeks but lose out on the title because they lost at West Ham. They wouldnt be able to forgive themselves. Andy Carroll will be determined to prove Rodgers made a mistake by selling him. If Cardiff could expose frailties in the league leaders defence, the West Ham battering ram will be licking his lips and Kevin Nolan will profit from Carrolls knock-downs. What must be going through the home captains mind? A Liverpool fan, raised in Toxteth, Nolan played for the club as a very young schoolboy and admits the Reds have a special place in his heart. If he nets the winner, West Ham will virtually be safe but he could have killed Liverpools dream. On form, a home winner is unlikely. Suarez is hunting his 30th goal. Sturridge has 23. Gerrard has nine in his past 14 games. Many neutrals would love to see him lift the trophy and Rodgers rewarded with the title ahead of schedule. I have met many different kinds of manager in my 41 years involved in football. He is one of the most genuine, thoughtful and quietly inspirational men I have encountered. Given that West Ham have won only two of 16 matches against top-half teams all season, I cant see Liverpool losing this, but I have a sneaky feeling that the Upton Park boo-boys may change their tune and inspire their team to a point. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head West Ham have only won two of their previous 21 meetings with Liverpool in the Premier League (W2, D4, L15). There have been 27 goals in the last eight clashes between these sides at Upton Park. Liverpool have only failed to score once in their last 10 league visits to Upton Park. That was in a 1-0 defeat by the Hammers in January 2008. West Ham have won six of their last nine Premier League matches, and four of their previous five games at Upton Park. Sam Allardyces side have lost five matches from winning positions this season - the most in the top flight. They have only won two of the 16 games they have played against teams in the top half of the table this campaign (W2, D3, L11). The Hammers have only recovered to take one point from the nine league matches in which they been behind at half-time. Their last eight league goals have been scored by seven different players, including an own goal from Hulls James Chester. Only Andy Carroll has scored more than once. Liverpool Liverpool are the only team yet to lose a Premier League game in 2014, winning 11 of their 13 matches and drawing two. This is their longest unbeaten run in the league run since November 2008 - February 2009 (15 matches). They are looking for their ninth consecutive league victory this weekend. The last time they won nine matches in a row was in May 2006. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have a combined total of 49 goals this season - the only Premier League strike partnership to score more in a single season was Newcastles partnership of Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole in 1993-94 (55). Suarez has scored 29 goals this season and is now just two behind the Premier League record for a 38-game season held by Alan Shearer (1995-96) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08). Glen Johnson has scored in three of his last five league games against former club West Ham, including the last two trips to Upton Park. Jordan Henderson could make his 100th league appearance for Liverpool. He has been involved in a career-high 11 league goals this season (goals and assists). bbcpearce
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 11:45:00 +0000
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