The term bogey team only seems to be associated with games against smaller sides but let’s be clear, Liverpool are one of West Ham’s bogey teams. And aside from one particular purple patch during the final season at Upton Park, we more often than not struggle against all incarnations of Liverpoll with a trip to Anfield always being a huge test.
However, last years champions are not half the team they used to be as the song goes and more than a few scousers on the red side of Merseyside are advocating for a change of manager. Because Liverpool spent a small fortune on players in the summer with many predicting dominance for the Premier League title holders. Unfortunately for Arne Slot, it hasn’t really turned out like that.
Liverpool have missed Trent Alexander-Arnold more than they expected, Mo Salah is a shadow of his former self and most of the summer signings have been pants. However, Wirtz is starting to come good and could be fit for Saturday and the Anfield mob remain formidable foes.
Liverpool v West Ham United
Premier League, Anfield, Saturday 28 February 2026, 3pm GMT
Survival on the line at Anfield
West Ham head to Merseyside knowing exactly what is at stake. We’re just two points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest with eleven games left and this is no longer about performances — it’s about points.
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There are reasons for cautious optimism. The Hammers have lost just once in the last six Premier League matches and have kept two clean sheets in the last three, including the 0-0 draw against Bournemouth. It’s not been pretty, but in a relegation scrap, resilience counts for something I guess.
A win at Anfield would be transformative. It would heap pressure on Forest before their trip to Brighton and give genuine belief that survival is in our hands.
Magassa could start for West Ham against Liverpool
Team news
Freddie Potts remains suspended following his red card at Burton in the FA Cup, while Pablo Felipe is still being assessed with a calf issue.
Liverpool could welcome Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz back into the fold, but Alexander Isak, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are all expected to miss out.
Despite their inconsistent season, Liverpool have won their last three in all competitions. Whatever their flaws, Anfield is still Anfield.
Gonzo’s Predicted West Ham XI
I suspect Nuno Espírito Santo will stick with the side that earned the point against Bournemouth.
Position Player
GK Hermansen
RB Wan-Bissaka
CB Disasi
CB Mavropanos
LB Diouf
CM Souček
CM Fernandes
CM Magassa
LW Summerville
RW Bowen
CF Castellanos
Prediction
This one will be high energy. It has to be.
Liverpool at home are no mugs, wobble or not. But they are vulnerable in ways they haven’t been for years. If we can stay compact, disrupt Wirtz and — crucially — get Jarrod Bowen into the game early, there’s no reason we can’t hurt them.
A win would change everything.
Head says Anfield draw. Heart says this could be the day.
I’ll go 2-2 — and I’d take that right now.