Jarrod Bowen scored against Wolves last time out (Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
There’s no truth to scurrilous suggestions Liverpool’s post-match meal at Anfield on Sunday consisted of hard cheese and sour grapes washed down by copious amounts of whine.
But it is difficult to ignore the bleating coming from the likes of Virgil van Dijk that Manchester United had no intention of pressing forward in wave after wave of free-flowing attacks in a bid to take full points off their long-time rivals.
United also barely had a shot on target in the 1-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich last Tuesday which saw them finish bottom of their Champions League group and kicked out of Europe all together.
Erik Ten Hag was clearly trying to avoid a couple of momentous defeats at the hands of two of the best sides in Europe and you know what? The plan worked and the mood is slightly improved, even though this style of play is only a short-term measure.
Liverpool had 34 shots in the 0-0 draw with their old foes and may face another tough time breaking down West Ham’s disciplined defence in their Carabao Cup quarter-final in front of the Kop.
David Moyes can get West Ham to frustrate Liverpool (Picture: Danehouse/Getty Images)
Yes, the Hammers were trounced 5-0 at Fulham the other week but they clearly had one eye on reaching the Europa League last 16 with victory against Freiburg the following Thursday.
The Hammers won 2-0, so mission accomplished and all kudos to manager David Moyes, who took the East End club to Europa Conference League success last term.
West Ham have built this term’s relative success on defending stoutly and counter-attacking with numbers and in 25 games in all competitions they have only been beaten by more than one goal on four occasions.
Admittedly, one of those was a 3-1 loss against Liverpool on Merseyside early doors but think of the 2-1 win at Tottenham and you’ll get the picture. They definitely rode their luck in the opening 45 minutes against Spurs but celebrated victory thanks to goals from the explosive Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse.
This bet could go terribly wrong but take 21/5 with BetMGM for the match to be all square after 90 minutes, while a draw with West Ham +1 is 15/8 with Bet Victor and Betfred.
Cody Gapko is 23/10 to score for Liverpool and Bowen is 7/2 with bet365 to reply for the Hammers.
• Peter Wright is 3/1 with StarSports to defeat Jim Williams 3-1 when they step up to the oche at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace.
• Anthony Joshua is 10/3 with Betway to win Saturday’s heavyweight fight with Otto Wallin between rounds seven and 12 inclusive.
Liverpool could be in trouble in their Carabao Cup quarter-final.