West Ham United will not be an easy game for Liverpool, says Arne Slot.
While West Ham United have a dreadful record at Anfield, the Liverpool boss believes the strength of the Premier League as a whole will make Saturday’s game very competitive.
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A graphic asking West Ham fans to rate the impact Paco Jemez has made at the club.
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Reigning champions Liverpool have dropped points at home to the likes of Leeds and Burnley this season, raising hope for West Ham in their battle against relegation.
Slot’s side were largely outplayed against Nottingham Forest last weekend too but managed to dig out a late victory.
Arne Slot admits Liverpool struggle against the sides at the bottom of the Premier League table
Asked about what to expect from West Ham, Slot said during his pre-match press conference: “I cannot manipulate the fact we have struggled a lot against the teams who were promoted or near the bottom.
“We understand how difficult winning games in general is – it doesn’t matter where they are in the table.”
Indeed, West Ham head into Saturday’s trip to Anfield two points behind the aforementioned Forest in the Premier League table.
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West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England.
Little about their record at Anfield inspires much confidence but, as Slot says, it’s not as if his side are enjoying a huge amount of success on Merseyside this season.
This does feel like the best time to play Liverpool at Anfield, if there’s ever a good time to do so.
Recent form would certainly suggest that there’s little for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to fear.
There are reasons to believe that West Ham can beat Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo and Arne Slot shake hands after West Ham United vs Liverpool FC in the Premier League.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nuno’s record against Arne Slot
West Ham lost to Liverpool in November, a game famous because of Lucas Paqueta’s red card at the London Stadium.
That game ended 2-0 but it was the first time Slot had ever beaten Nuno as a coach.
Nuno’s Forest overcame Slot’s Liverpool at Anfield last September before the two sides drew 1-1 months later.
In total, Nuno has won, drawn and lost in the three games he’s ever coached against Slot.
There is genuine reason to believe the West Ham boss can pull off another shock result on Merseyside when his side come to visit.
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