Liverpool host West Ham in the Premier League with the chance to move into the top five, temporarily at least. Here’s everything you need to know.
Liverpool vs. West Ham
Premier League (28) | Anfield
February 28, 2026 | 3pm (GMT)
Thanks to last weekend’s late win against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool are now firmly back in contention for Champions League qualification.
With Chelsea away at Arsenal and Man United hosting Crystal Palace on Sunday, this weekend could be a chance to put their top-five rivals under pressure.
No Florian Wirtz but good news on Frimpong
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz applauds the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Florian Wirtz will miss the West Ham match due to the back injury he sustained in the warm-up before Sunday’s win at Forest.
Slot added that he “honestly” does not know when the German will return, but there was better news on Jeremie Frimpong.
The attacking right-back is thankfully available again, having trained with the team “a few times this week.”
Liverpool XI vs. West Ham
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike, wearing Apple AirPods Max, arrives before the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Frimpong is back in training, it is arguably most likely that he sits on the bench given the need to wrap him in cotton wool after at least three hamstring injuries this campaign.
This means Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai or Joe Gomez should play at right-back, as the rest of the back four is made up of Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez or Andy Robertson.
It would be no surprise to see the rest of the side unchanged, with Mo Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo forming the front three.
Possible XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
Arne Slot responds to calls for Rio Ngumoha to start
Amid growing noise calling for Rio Ngumoha to be given more starts, Slot has responded and it didn’t sound like he would be starting against West Ham.
“You see that his playing time has improved massively over the last few weeks,” the head coach said.
“There’s a reason for that, because he developed, he became a better player. I think it’s only very positive that people start to talk about him, because that tells you that he does really well.”
West Ham have lost one in six
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)
Sitting 18th in the Premier League and two points from safety, this season has been a disaster for West Ham who have a net spend of about £135 million over the last 18 months.
They are beginning to turn things around, however, under Nuno Espirito Santo, with three wins, two draws and one defeat in their last six league matches.
The manager has won one of his 10 league fixtures against Liverpool and scored just three while conceding 16. That sole victory did come last season, though, for Forest at Anfield.
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West Ham team news
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 13, 2021: West Ham United's Freddie Potts during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool FC Under-23's and West Ham United FC Under-23's at the Liverpool Academy. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
West Ham will be without three players for their trip to Anfield, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski still out suffering from a back injury, midfielder Freddie Potts suspended and forward Pablo Felipe recovering from a calf problem.
Espirito Santo said of the attacker’s fitness: “He didn’t join us yet. He’s starting his individual programme, so he’s improving day by day.
“We’ll keep assessing him and see when he can return. Hopefully it’s soon, because we miss him.”
Potts’ absence is due to the red card he received against Burton in the FA Cup, this being the second match of his three-game suspension.
West Ham’s quick starts
West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville celebrates (Jordan Pettiitt/PA)
West Ham have scored nine goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, more than any other team.
Only 31 percent of the Reds’ league goals this season have come in the first half compared to West Ham’s 59 percent. The Hammers have recorded three away wins this season, the same number as at home in the league.
The Reds are looking to avoid a second successive Premier League home defeat. They last suffered two in a row in the competition at Anfield in March 2021, when they astonishingly lost six in a row behind closed doors.
Liverpool have won the last two league games by a 1-0 scoreline. They have not had three successive 1-0 league victories since the opening three matches of 2013/14.
Who is the referee for Liverpool vs. West Ham?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 27, 2023: Referee Tim Robinson during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
West Sussex-based referee Tim Robinson takes charge of Liverpool vs. West Ham, with assistance at Anfield coming from Richard West, Marc Perry and fourth official Chris Kavanagh.
Meanwhile, Michael Salibsury is the video assistant referee as Adrian Holmes takes on assistant VAR duties.
Liverpool have won on all four occasions that Robinson has refereed them in a full game. He has issued two red cards in seven Premier League matches this season.
Follow the match with TIA
With kick-off at 3pm (GMT), Liverpool vs. West Ham is not on UK television. A full list of international coverage options can be found here.
TIA’s matchday live blog will be up and running from 2.15pm, with Harry McMullen tasked with keeping you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!