Game Week 32 Predictions: Liverpool to hammer West Ham at Anfield

Liverpool close in on the Premier League title as they host West Ham at Anfield; Salah's new contract boosts Reds ahead of potential coronation.

Liverpool could win the title next week, they must do their business here with the Hammers in town. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Liverpool vs West Ham

Anfield

2:00pm

Liverpool’s coronation was all but confirmed on Saturday as Arsenal failed to beat Brentford; it’s now a matter of when and not if for the Reds as they march towards their 20th Premier League title.

West Ham doesn’t have enough to stop Liverpool from winning this game. It means Liverpool can confirm the title next weekend if Liverpool wins on Sunday and Arsenal doesn’t beat Ipswich; it means the Reds can be crowned if they win next week too.

For the Hammers, it’s a case of celebrating their survival this season while taking every game from now on as a pre-season game. They’re expected to add a few players in the summer while some players are expected to depart; getting that sequence right would do them a lot of good.

The abyss created by the wrong recruitment of Julien Lopetegui must be cleared by Graham Potter. The former Chelsea and Brighton manager isn’t enjoying the seat yet, but there are promises. Building on the stability they’re enjoying right now is important.

Liverpool confirmed Mohammed Salah’s contract extension on Friday. This puts an end to the long speculation about his future; now they know they have him for another two years. That’s a big win for them considering what he has done for them this season.

Salah in the bag, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are next in line; would they be able to seal the deal for the two too? Word on the street is that the former has agreed to join Real Madrid; will that taint his Anfield legacy?

Where is the key battle for this encounter? It’s on the right of Liverpool and the defensive left of the Hammers; it’s tough to stop Liverpool on a day Salah is in the mood, and with a new contract up there to celebrate, you must put West Ham in your prayers.

How can the Hammers stop Liverpool? Fulham beat Liverpool last weekend, and it was from a position of grit and precision. The Lilywhites took their chances when they got them and stayed focused throughout the game. Can the Hammers do the same?

There are few fitness concerns for both sides, but they both have enough to prosecute this game. Jarrel Quansah will take the right back position, but Connor Bradley and Curtis Jones are the other alternatives; will Diogo Jota be trusted over Darwin Nunez?

Verdict: Liverpool to win