West Ham v Liverpool: toothless Reds to slip up again

It’s easy to say that Liverpool are hugely reliant on Luis Suarez this season – but that’s because they are.

The Uruguayan has hit 10 goals in the league this term and, by virtue of being Liverpool’s only available striker (Fabio Borini is still injured), most of the good they’ve done in the final third has come through him.

So it’s undoubtedly concerning for everyone connected with Liverpool that he’s suspended for this clash against West Ham United.

Despite their higher league position and home advantage, the Irons are the outsiders heading into this clash and can be backed at 9/5 to pick up all three points.

And it’s a bet worth serious consideration.

Suarez has been ever-present for the Reds so far in the Premier League this term and even with him on the pitch goals haven’t exactly been flowing for the Merseyside club.

They have averaged under two goals-per-game in the league this season and, even more worryingly, have yet to win against any of the sides who currently occupy the top half of the table – that’s nine games against ‘better’ teams in which they’ve failed to pick up three points.

Backing the Irons to get another victory following their 3-1 defeat of Chelsea last weekend could lead to a very decent pay out.

However, it’s also worth noting that the west London side have failed to net in five of their last eight meetings with the Reds so a punt on West Ham to win with under 2.5 goals being scored looks pretty tempting at 9/2.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date