Liverpool v West Ham preview

Posted Friday, November 19, 2010 by skysports.com

Torres out for Reds, Hammers missing Parker

Liverpool play host to West Ham on Monday aiming to keep alive their lingering hopes of finishing in fourth spot.

The Reds have fallen eight points behind Tottenham in the race to finish in the top four and their hopes suffered a further blow when Fernando Torres was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Torres, who missed last weekend's goalless draw with Fulham, faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after being forced under the knife again in an injury-plagued campaign.

It means young Frenchman David Ngog is likely to start in attack against West Ham or Dirk Kuyt could be shifted from his right-sided role to his preferred forward position.

Liverpool v West Ham preview

Daniel Agger is set to continue at left-back with Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio still sidelined through injury.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez could shuffle his pack with Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid in mind.

West Ham travel to Anfield aiming to maintain their upturn in form after picking up four points from their last two games.

The Hammers are just three points above the drop zone and they will be looking to put more breathing space between themselves and their relegation rivals with a positive result on Merseyside.

Scott Parker misses the game as he completes his two-match ban.

Luis Boa Morte is close to full fitness after recovering from a knee injury but will not be risked at Anfield despite having played for the reserves.

Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Herita Ilunga (knee), Jack Collison (knee) and James Tomkins (ankle) are out but Mido is back after missing the 1-0 victory over Sunderland through illness.

Possible starting XIs
Liverpool: Reina, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Agger, Johnson, Benayoun, Aquilani, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Ngog.

West Ham: Green, Upson, Faubert, Da Costa, Spector, Kovac, Noble, Behrami, Stanislas, Cole, Ilan.

skysports.com prediction: Liverpool 1 West Ham 0

One to watch: Steven Gerrard