Slot feels no anger towards Liverpool players amid dismal run

Arne Slot is directing no anger towards his players as he looks to correct Liverpool's frustrating run of form.

Liverpool have lost nine of their last 12 matches in all competitions, which is their worst run since the 1953-54 season.

A 4-1 reverse at home to PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday made it three straight defeats.

The Reds will look to get back on track when they head to West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League, and Slot insists his squad is united.

When asked if he feels any frustration or anger towards his players, Slot said: "Not at all. I do agree that our standards have not been of the standards we are used to. We think we can play better.

"Last season, when we did really well, there was focus on individuals and I said we should focus on the team. If the opposite is happening, we should also look at the team and not individuals.

"It's a tough team to beat at the moment, West Ham. We definitely need to be ready for a challenge."

West Ham, on the other hand, are a team in form, having taken seven points from the last nine on offer.

They did, though, throw away a 2-0 lead against Bournemouth last time out to draw 2-2. However, they sit outside of the relegation zone heading into the weekend.

Nuno Espirito Santo, though, is not expecting anything but a fierce challenge against the reigning Premier League champions.

"I don't know. We can expect anything, especially teams that are in European competitions," Nuno said.

"They are a good team. In football, what matters is what you do on the day. What we expect is [to play against] the champions of the Premier League, players that are talented and capable of doing good things."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham – Callum Wilson

After his double against Bournemouth, Wilson has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games, as many as he had in his previous 36 appearances.

He is looking to score in three in a row for the first time since September 2023.

Liverpool – Alexander Isak

Wilson's former team-mate Isak has endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool since his record-breaking switch from Newcastle United. Indeed, he has lost on each of his first four starts in the league for the Reds.

However, only against Nottingham Forest (seven – six goals, one assist) has Isak been involved in more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (six – five goals, one assist). 

MATCH PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL WIN

West Ham have won their last two Premier League home games (3-1 v Newcastle, 3-2 v Burnley), ending a run of nine games without a win at the London Stadium. They last won three in a row in May/August 2023, and last did so in the same season in October 2022.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have conceded 20 goals in their 12 league games this season. It is the joint-earliest into a Premier League campaign they have conceded 20+ goals, along with 1992-93 (also 20 after 12).

Indeed, having only failed to score in one of their first 48 Premier League games under Slot, Liverpool have now lost their last two by a 3-0 scoreline. They last lost more consecutively without reply in September 1993 (a run of four).

However, West Ham have won just one of their last 18 Premier League games against Liverpool (D3 L14), beating them 3-2 at the London Stadium in November 2021.

Liverpool have scored 25 goals in their nine Premier League visits to the London Stadium, including a 5-0 win in this fixture last season. Indeed, Manchester City (28) and Arsenal (26) are the only visiting sides with more goals at the ground.

But Liverpool have lost each of their last five away league games against London sides, as many as in their previous 31 (W16 D10). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

West Ham – 26.5%

Draw – 23.7%

Liverpool – 49.8%