PREVIEW: Liverpool host West Ham in pursuit of reclaiming top four status | OneFootball

Liverpool look to bolster their top four hopes against a resurgent West Ham United side, who could seize the long-awaited opportunity to escape the relegation zone at Anfield.

The Reds’ knack for late winners salvaged three points once more when they scraped a 1-0 win in the dying stages at Nottingham Forest, thanks to Alexis Mac Alister, and target a more routine victory on Saturday.

The defending champions could ramp up the pressure on their fellow top four contenders, and go level on points with Manchester United in fourth – and above Chelsea, who visit leaders Arsenal – with a victory.

However, West Ham have rallied to just one defeat in eight games across all competitions in a more fruitful spell of form, which has certainly kept Nottingham Forest looking over their shoulders.

Liverpool’s objective remains within touching distance, but at this stage last season Arne Slot’s men racked up 19 more points than their haul so far this campaign.

But any signs of regression would likely be forgiven if Liverpool manage to secure Champions League qualification for another season.

Slot confirmed wing-back Jeremie Frimpong will be available for selection against West Ham, after spending a month out of action.

However, Liverpool will still be without German playmaker Florian Wirtz, who is still nursing a back injury, with his manager unable to provide a return date.

Alexander Isak notched his first Premier League goal in a Liverpool shirt in the reverse fixture, while Cody Gakpo doubled the advantage in November to help his side break free from a disruptive winless run.

The latter’s goal came after Lucas Paqueta’s yellow card was upgraded when he refused to back down from protesting a decision with the referee. Isak is still recovering from a broken leg.

Although West Ham recouped funds from Paqueta’s January departure to Flamengo, sanctioning the sale of the midfielder was thought to only curtail their bid for survival – irrespective of how the money was reinvested.

West Ham left their recent home outing with Bournemouth with a single point, despite registering 20 shots over the course of the stalemate in East London.

It seems a tall order to muster three points at Anfield, but they would escape the relegation zone for the first time since November if they were able to do so.

Nottingham Forest travel to Brighton on Sunday following their Europa League victory on Thursday night, so it would be panic stations for them and a step closer to revenge for Nuno Espirito Santo if his team can spring a surprise on Liverpool.

The West Ham boss gave an update on Pablo Felipe’s calf issue that he sustained in the win over Burnley earlier this month. The 22-year-old striker signed in January from Portuguese club Gil Vecente and is yet to open his account for the Hammers.

Nuno stated that the Brazilian will not be available for the trip to Anfield, “He didn’t join us yet as he’s starting his own programme, so he’s improving day by day. It all depends on him, so hopefully soon because we miss him.”