Chris Sutton makes score prediction for PL fixture between West Ham and Liverpool
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has made his prediction for Liverpool's Premier League game at West Ham United on Saturday (April 27).
The Reds are coming off a disappointing 2-0 midweek defeat at Everton, which has all put ended their title hopes. Jurgen Klopp's side trail leaders Arsenal by three points with four games left.
Meanwhile, eighth-placed West Ham are coming off successfive defeats. Predicting the result of the Hammers' league meeting at home to the Reds, Sutton wrote in his prediction column for the BBC:
"Earlier this month, when Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace on the same day Arsenal were beaten by Aston Villa, it was Grand National weekend and I made an analogy about how both of them had hit the third-last fence hard, but could both still recover."
"Well, Arsenal have responded really well to get their noses in front, but Liverpool stumbled badly again against Everton and, to continue the horse-racing theme, their only hope now is to hope that the Gunners and Manchester City both fall at the last."
He continued:
"I don't see that happening but Liverpool have just got to look after themselves now and try to beat West Ham. Who knows what kind of Hammers performance we are going to get after all the noise around the talks they have had with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim this week.
"I know clubs have to make plans, but for that to come out the way it did that was really disrespectful to West Ham boss David Moyes when the club have not made an announcement about his future.
He concluded, predicting a 2-1 win for the Reds:
"So, how do I call this when we don't know what the mood in their camp will be like? It's also hard to back Liverpool, because Mohamed Salah is out of form and Darwin Nunez's finishing has been so terrible. I have a feeling the Reds will edge it but, like I say, they are out of the title race now anyway.
"I'm sad about that, because I don't want Jurgen Klopp's time as Liverpool manager to end like this. Klopp is a fierce competitor and he came in with that 'heavy-metal' brand of football... but it seems his spell at Anfield is going to finish with him just tinkering around on the piano, with nothing to play for."
The Reds are pursuing their second Premier League title in five years.
How did Liverpool fare against West Ham United earlier this season?
Liverpool have happy memories from their last league meeting with West Ham United, winning 3-1 at home in September.
Mohamed Salah put the Reds on their way in the 16th minute from the spot before Edson Alvarez equalised for the Hammers 20 minutes later. The hosts, though, were back in front at the hour mark through Darwin Nunez.
Portuguese attacker Diogo Jota confirmed the three minutes late on with the Reds' third five minutes from time to make it five straight league wins for Jurgen Klopp's side.