Liverpool must see Saturday’s visit of West Ham as a great chance of victory, but the Hammers have found some form under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Reds won late at Nottingham Forest last Sunday, and they must now back that up this weekend with another three points.
West Ham head to Anfield sitting 18th in the Premier League and two points away from safety, but they’re seventh in the form table over the last five games (Liverpool are sixth).
We’ve previewed Saturday’s game with West Ham podcaster James Jones (@ByJamesJones), as he assesses a tough season, the key battles against Liverpool and more.
How would you rate West Ham’s season out of 10? What’s gone wrong?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz challis challenged by West Ham United's Lucas Paquetá during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Before January, it was one-out-of-10, and a complete shambles of a season. But since the turn of the year, we’ve been so much better, and it’s now more like a seven.
Combined, it’s a four.
Graham Potter was definitely the wrong man for the job, but given he kept us up last season, it’s no surprise he was kept on.
Then the season started so poorly and the club probably took a bit too long to pull the trigger.
Nuno Espirito Santo has improved things massively, but he also took some time to get going, having cost us points with crazy experimental starting XIs in big games against Brentford and Leeds, which cost us valuable points.
Things look better now – I just fear it’s too little, too late.
Is Nuno the right man to keep you in the Premier League?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: West Ham United's head coach Nuno Espírito Santo before the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He most definitely is the right man to keep us up – I just worry that things have finally clicked a bit too late for it to happen, as mentioned.
There are only two points between Forest and us, and we’ve overcome bigger games in previous relegation battles to stay up, so it’s by no means over just yet.
If he keeps us up, I would not be surprised if he then guided us straight back to the top 10 of the Premier League next season.
That’s how well we’re playing and that’s how good our core group of first-team players are.
Do you think relegation will be avoided?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: West Ham United's Lucas Paquetá is shown a red card and sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a minute for dissent by referee Darren England during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Aside from Leeds, we’re the form team down there at the moment, and that will count for something.
But we need to keep that momentum going for the next 11 games.
We will lose some games, but it’s how we bounce back from those defeats which will decide our fate.
If we can pick up a few surprise results along the way, and perhaps put together a similar run to the one we’re on now – one loss in six league games – I think we will be safe.
We have Leeds at home on the last weekend of the season and I really, really hope that game isn’t the decider.
Which three players have struggled most? Anyone impressed?
West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville celebrates (Jordan Pettiitt/PA)
The entire squad has struggled for much of the season, but the one player who has had a nightmare is Max Kilman.
He’s just not been very good and has cost us in so many games with his poor positioning and awareness.
The fact that Dinos Mavropanos has kept him out of the squad over the past two months, despite being prone to a mistake himself, speaks volumes.
Mads Hermansen is another who struggled early on the season and was dropped just four games into his West Ham career, but he’s recently got his No. 1 spot back and is looking miles better.
Last 5 Opponents Score Result
Chelsea (A) 3 – 2 L
Burnley (A) 2 – 0 W
Man United (H) 1 – 1 D
Burton (A) 1 – 0 W
Bournemouth (H) 0 – 0 D
In terms of those who have impressed, Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville have been unbelievable.
Fernandes, in particular, is a Champions League-level midfielder already and he is only 21. The kid will go to the very top.
Axel Disasi has also been superb since arriving on loan from Chelsea at the end of January.
How do you rate Liverpool’s season? Would you keep Arne Slot?
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot on the pitch before the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It’s been a shocker, hasn’t it?
I don’t think anyone saw this coming, even at the beginning of the season when you were relying on last-minute winners every week.
I would keep Arne Slot for one more season at least, but only if he secures a top-four finish this season.
If he fails to secure Champions League football, then I can’t see any reason why a club like Liverpool should tolerate that. It simply has to be the bare minimum.
What’s your favourite and worst memory from this fixture?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2015: West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring the first goal against Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
We’ve only won one game at Anfield since 1963 – the 3-0 win in 2015 under Slaven Bilic – so that’s my only good memory of this fixture at Anfield.
Unsurprisingly, there are several bad memories, so it would be very difficult to single any out.
How do you rate Anfield as an away day?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: A general view of Anfield ahead of the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I’ve never been to Anfield, so I can’t speak from first-hand experience, but friends have told me it’s a top away day.
One day I will make it up there for a game.
Where will the key battles take place on Saturday?
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I think it will be all down to whether you can handle the pace and directness of Summerville on the left and Fernandes’ legs and vision in midfield.
If both are nullified, then I fear for us.
We are far better defensively now, though, having kept three clean sheets in our last four games, so we won’t be as easy to break down as we were a couple of months ago.
Hit us with your prediction…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Given the position we are both in, you have to say this is probably the best time for a club desperate for points to be visiting Anfield.
There is a lot of confidence in the squad at the moment and I think that will show in our performance.
I’m going to go with a 1-1 draw – a massive point for us and will keep the pressure firmly on Forest and Spurs.