Arne Slot will need no introduction as to the talents of Crysencio Summerville when West Ham United kick off away to the soon-to-be deposed Premier League champions in Liverpool this afternoon.
While his radar was a little off last weekend against Bournemouth, Summerville is in ‘almost unstoppable’ form for a Hammers outfit who have not won at Anfield since Diafra Sakho put the finishing touches on an infamous 3-0 triumph back in 2015.
Liverpool’s right-back issues could play into Nuno’s hands as well. Or, at least, that is the hope.
While Jeremie Frimpong is available, Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to start again in defence. The Crysencio Summerville of 2026, six goals in his last eight games after none in 25, may prove to be the greatest test yet of the versatile Hungarian’s defensive instincts.
Three at the back at Anfield? 🤔
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Liverpool v West Ham predicted XI graphic
As for Arne Slot, Saturday’s 3pm kick-off offers West Ham United’s number seven the chance to show his compatriot just how far he has come since February 2024, when the now-Liverpool boss confirmed he had identified Summerville as a dream signing for Feyenoord.
Arne Slot wanted to sign West Ham United ace Crysencio Summerville at Feyenoord
The Rotterdam-born Summerville is a product of Feyenoord’s academy.
He would leave the Eredivisie giants in 2020, though, having not played a single league match. Slot’s arrival came a year later. And, much to his frustration, Summerville’s rapid growth in the white of Leeds United ensured that a return to Feyenoord became financially impossible.
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West Ham, after all, had to pay £30 million to take the 24-year-old to the London Stadium.
Crysencio Summerville during West Ham United's FA Cup against Burton.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
“We have not been able to find a player who strengthens us in attack and who was feasible for us,” Slot, who secured Feyenoord only their second Eredivisie title of the 21st century, Voetbal Zone two years ago this month. “Otherwise, he would have been there.
“It is not difficult to find such a player [with the qualities we want]. However, it must also fit within our financial possibilities. A player must want to come to us and have the will to play in the Eredivisie.
“I’ll just mention a name so you can write about it again; I would have liked to see Summerville on our side. But he is too expensive.
“I have found him an interesting player for a long time.”
Summerville talks up survival prospects ahead of Anfield trip
Summerville, of course, has a history at Anfield. Just before the Qatar World Cup in late-2022, he scored a late winner away from home on the red side of Stanley Park. Repeat the trick three and a half years later, in West Ham colours this time, and the ‘Great Escape’ really will be on.
A heroic 1-0 triumph away to Arsenal in 2007 really lit the fuse behind that remarkable late-season revival under Alan Curbishley. Beating Liverpool on their own soil would be a similarly emphatic statement of intent.
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Carlos Tevez of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premiership match between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United at Ewood Park on March 17, 2007 in Blackburn, England.
“I think we improved a lot from like how it was in the start of the season and hopefully we can keep this going,” Summerville told BBC Sport this week as West Ham look to close the gap further – or even leapfrog – on Nottingham Forest in 17th.
“We know where we are and we know that we have to fight and it’s until the last game. We do this for the fans as well, because I think we belong in the Premier League.
“We know how it’s going to be, it’s going to be a fight. We know that we don’t belong here like where we’re at. So it’s going to be a fight until the end. I think we improved a lot from what it was at the start. I think we have to take all the positives from the last couple of games, and now we see it game by game.
“Every game for us is a final, and I think that needs to be the mentality.”
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