West Ham early team news v Liverpool: First start since October for one player. Alphonse Areola is set to make his first start since October when West Ham host Liverpool, according to Mail on Sunday.
In the newspaper’s print edition [page 84, 29 December] the Frenchman is predicted to return to the starting line-up for the first time since the 4-1 loss to Tottenham (19 October).
Lukasz Fabianski has been preferred between the sticks by Julen Lopetegui since that defeat but suffered a concussion in the 1-0 win over Southampton, so Areola is expected to return against the Reds (29 December).
Areola needs to bounce back at West Ham
The former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper needs to redeem his West Ham career in the Polish international’s absence.
He has been out of favour at the London Stadium since an underwhelming start to the season in which he conceded 15 goals in just eight league matches.
His poor form left Lopetegui with no choice but to drop him and start Fabianski with the switch starting to pay off in recent weeks with the Hammers unbeaten in their last four league matches with two wins against Wolves and Southampton.
However, Areola will now need to step up to maintain that run with Arne Slot’s table-topping side representing the toughest test yet for the Irons.
The Reds have scored the most goals in the league so far this season, with 40 in their opening 17 matches of the campaign and Mohamed Salah is in sensational form, having scored 16 and assisted 11 so the Frenchman will need to be on top form.
If he manages to restrict the Reds he may leave Lopetegui with a tough decision when Fabianski is ready to return and have a shot of reclaiming his starting spot for the Hammers.
In other West Ham news, Manchester City could be set to sell a Hammers target for £25million.
