Julen Lopetegui has urged his West Ham team to approach their upcoming match against Liverpool without fear, despite an injury crisis that has left them without six first-choice players. The team faces a daunting challenge against the league leaders but remains determined to rise to the occasion.
West Ham has shown resilience during a challenging festive period. Their 1-0 victory over Southampton on Boxing Day marked their fourth consecutive match without defeat. However, the win came at a significant cost. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered a head injury that required him to leave the field in a neck brace, and while he was later reported to be conscious and talking, he is certain to miss the Liverpool match. Additionally, Maximilian Kilman (shoulder) and Carlos Soler (knee) joined the list of sidelined players, which already includes long-term absentee Michail Antonio. Further compounding the team’s troubles, Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodríguez picked up their fifth bookings of the season, ruling them out of Sunday’s clash.
Reflecting on the Southampton match, Lopetegui praised his team’s determination. “We were resilient and were able to suffer as a team to achieve three important points with a lot of problems,” he said. The manager acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting the limited defensive options available. “We have a lot of defenders out, only two center-backs. But it happens. We have to be ready.”
West Ham’s record against Liverpool offers little comfort, with just one win in their last 16 Premier League meetings a memorable 3-2 victory in November 2021. Meanwhile, Liverpool has been in scintillating form, sitting comfortably at the top of the table. Despite these odds, Lopetegui is adamant that his team must approach the game with confidence and determination. “To be afraid? No,” he declared. “We have a big respect for all the teams, but we have the same respect for Southampton, for Liverpool, all of them. It’s different because we are talking about the best team in the Premier League: top players, a very good coach. They are now in the heights. But we have to believe in our strengths and opportunities.”
Lopetegui emphasized the importance of belief and resilience. “We are happy to have these kinds of matches at home. We have belief in our players. No fear. We fear only other things – in football, no fear. Never.”
In the absence of Michail Antonio, who has been sidelined since a car accident earlier in December, Niclas Füllkrug has stepped up to lead the line. Against Southampton, Füllkrug played a key role in the game’s only goal, flicking the ball on for Jarrod Bowen to score from close range. While Füllkrug’s contributions have been a positive development following his earlier injury struggles, there are growing calls for West Ham to strengthen their attacking options in the January transfer window. The team’s lack of depth up front has been a recurring issue, and a new signing could provide much-needed reinforcement.
As West Ham prepares for the formidable challenge of facing Liverpool, the focus remains on maximizing the potential of the available squad. Lopetegui’s rallying cry to his players underscores the team’s determination to compete at the highest level, even in the face of adversity. Whether this resilience will be enough to overcome the league leaders remains to be seen, but West Ham is determined to give their all on the pitch.
