Klopp’s worst nightmare: West Ham ace can tear Liverpool defence apart (not Payet)
By Emma Sanders
Andy Carroll will cause Liverpool problems on Sunday because they won’t be able to deal with his aerial threat and he can exploit their defensive weaknesses.
The Liverpool flop has become an important member of the West Ham squad despite his career plummeting while in Merseyside and he has the ability to tear the home defence apart.
The two teams go head-to-head in the Premier League and Liverpool’s inability to deal with set-pieces might prove costly against the Hammers.
Carroll is six foot four inches tall and has scored some brilliant goals with his head while at West Ham, including a superb 55th minute finish against Liverpool earlier this year.
The striker has had to sit out the majority of the 2016-17 campaign through injury but he marked his comeback against Arsenal last week with a goal.
He was missing for almost four months prior to Saturday’s 5-1 defeat but the Hammers have been boosted by his return ahead of the clash against Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are bursting with attacking intent but the defensive frailties are still very evident and they were highlighted in devastating fashion during the 4-3 loss against Bournemouth last Saturday.
Joel Matip’s return will be crucial for Liverpool but Carroll will look to exploit the aerial weaknesses of Dejan Lovren and keeper Loris Karius.
Just his presence alone will unsettle the nervy Liverpool defence and Karius, who is under immense pressure to perform, is likely to come off second best if Carroll battles him in the air.
The West Ham totem could turn out to be Klopp’s worst nightmare.
In other West Ham news, this 17-year-old star is being watched by the Hammers among several other clubs.