Liverpool begin the weekend top of the league but West Ham and some ex-Liverpool players will be hoping to change all that by Sunday evening
Liverpool are undefeated in the last 13 Premier League games, and are on an 8-match winning streak. The reds are currently 2 points clear of Chelsea (who play Saturday evening at home to Stoke City).
The reds are also 4 points clear of Man City who face Southampton in Saturday's early kick off. Man City however have 2 games (or a potential 6 points) in hand.
Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing are both likely to start - two men who were sold by the Merseyside giants in the summer.
Joe Cole has been involved in West Ham's campaign but usually from the bench.
Team News
The reds have confirmed that Jose Enrique will now miss the rest of the season and have no new injury concerns in the past week.
Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho are still to force their way back as first team regulars and are likely to remain on the bench. Rodgers big decision is likely to be which two of Allen, Sterling and Coutinho he selected in the starting XI.
West Ham will be able to select Kevin Nolan, their scouse captain, after he recovered from a slight knock collected in last Monday's win over Sunderland.
Pre Match Comments
Sam Allardyce, West Ham manager:
(asked about Andy Carroll's departure from Liverpool)
"He (Rodgers) made a decision early on and we were the first to try and resolve that situation. As disappointed as Andy was, that was the decision made by Brendan and you have to move on, you have to put it behind you.
"Stewart Downing also comes into the fray where he played a part in Liverpool last season and then joined us. The rest of the team and those two lads particularly will want to show how good they are on Sunday. Let's hope they play very, very well on Sunday because we need them to."
Brendan Rodgers:
(asked about both Carroll and Downing)
"Andy wasn't let go from here because he wasn't good enough. I think he's one of the best players in Europe in how he plays, that style of attacking the ball in the air - he's outstanding.
"Everyone knows the way I work; it was never to say that Andy couldn't work that way, but he needed to play. He's gone on and done great for West Ham.
"Stewart Downing, like all the players in the opening few months when I came in, it was difficult for him. But then he really progressed and became a very important member of our team and squad by the end of the season.
"But the money that we were offered for him was going to help in getting other players in and help us continue along our journey within the philosophy.
"Stewart left and he has gone to there and been one of their best players, if not the best player. He's got a great left foot.
LFC v West Ham stats
Liverpool won the Premier League fixture between the two clubs 4-1 at Anfield at the beginning of December. In total the reds have won 15 of the 21 Premier League games between the two clubs - losing only twice.
West Ham look clear of any ensuing relegation battles in mid-table. Their recent Premier League record has been good. They have won six of their last 9 and won 4 of their last 5 home games. They were exceptionally unlucky to lose 1-0 at Goodison Park recently and did hold Chelsea to a 0-0 draw not so long back (although Man City beat them 9-0 over two legs in the cup).
Betting
Liverpool are clear favourites at 2/5 for the win. West Ham are big priced outsiders - best prices for them are 8/1.
2-0 to LFC is a favoured scoreline at 8/1. You can grab a 0-0 or 2-2 draw at 18/1.
Big Liverpool wins are looking decidely unimpressive these days - the likes of a 4-0 are a relatively meagre 16/1. In fact a Liverpool 1-0 and 3-0 are both at the same price - 10/1.
If you're having a punt and like some high odds you might get better value for West Ham taking the lead before Liverpool come back - such as happened at Cardiff. Carroll to score first and the reds to win 5-2 will get you about 440/1 with Bet365.
Prediction
Liverpool have a good record against West Ham, and although both sides have some good form, the reds should be able to get all three points. However, there are players with points to prove and West Ham's style of play could cause some issues for Skrtel and Agger.
Bet: Carroll first scorer and 3-1 to Liverpool is 180/1.
