The visitors will be desperate to get back to winning ways after slipping up slightly with a draw against Leicester last time out, extending their league to five but missing the chance for it to be seven. The result was the first time Liverpool have failed to beat a side outside the top six and will be aiming to make sure that this does not happen again against the Hammers.
West Ham are in the middle of a sticky patch in the league with only two wins in their last six games and they were roundly thumped 3-0 away at Wolves last time out. The hosts are currently in the middle ‘mini league’ in the table in 12th, battling with Wolves, Everton, Watford, Bournemouth and Leicester to be seventh and ‘best of the rest’.
Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the final Premier League fixtures this weekend: West Ham vs Liverpool.
Liverpool's lead in the title race was cut to two points when Manchester City made light work of Arsenal and closed the gap. A win for Jurgen Klopp's side would restore the more comfortable five-point cushion.
West Ham can move from 12th to 9th with a win, but a look through the history books tells you that it highly unlikely. The Hammers have conceded four goals in each of their last four matches against Liverpool!
If selected tonight, and it seems that the captain has fallen away from Jurgen Klopp's best team, Jordan Henderson will make his 300th Premier League appearances.
Will he add a winners medal at the end of the season?
Liverpool midfielder James Milner returns from suspension for Monday's trip to West Ham.
He is likely to be asked to fill in at right-back as Trent Alexander-Arnold is not yet fully recovered from a knee injury.
Fellow defender Joe Gomez is further behind than expected in his recovery from a fractured leg and will not be available until the end of the month at the earliest.
West Ham did not quite kick on in the way they may have liked after home wins against Manchester United and Arsenal, tonight, Manuel Pellegrini hopes, could be the chance for them to boost his side and his Manchester City, his former employers.
"If we win I will be very happy for our club first, because we need a good performance against the leaders," said Pellegrini.
"After that if we can give a hand to Manchester City, it's not our problem, but of course I am a fan of Manchester City also."
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has suggested the pressure is all on Liverpool, rather than Manchester City, ahead of the final few weeks of the season...
No Marko Arnautovic, then, for West Ham. They will be hopeful that Felipe Anderson and Chicharito have enough to trouble a Liverpool defence that has looked uncharacteristically shaky over recent weeks.
The Reds have let in six goals in four league games since the turn of the year. Before then, Jurgen Klopp's side had conceded just eight in 20. James Milner, who might an extra sturdiness, returns for Liverpool tonight, with Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum out injured.
There's also a first start since 27 October for Adam Lallana, who has fallen out of favour under Klopp. He has an opportunity to prove himself tonight in what is only his seventh Premier League appearance of the season.
It's not ideal for Liverpool, though. They can't afford to drop off the pace with both Manchester City and Tottenham close on their heels, so Lallana will need to step up this evening.
Recent history suggests Liverpool are strong favourites tonight. Despite their injury concerns, and the increasing pressure of the title race, the visitors should have too much for West Ham.
The Hammers are on a poor run, too: three defeats in a row in all competitions, the most recent of which was a humbling 3-0 loss at Wolves. Liverpool, then, will expect a win. Stranger things have happened in the Premier League though.
The first chance of the game falls to the hosts. They break forward and Noble prods the ball into the path of Hernandez. The Mexican forward opens his body up, curling a shot towards the bottom corner. It flashes just wide and Liverpool breathe an early sigh of relief.
Liverpool come forward at the other end and look to play through West Ham's defence on the edge of the box. Firmino slides a neat pass into the path of Robertson, but the left back is flagged offside as he bears down on goal.
Keita picks up the ball in the middle and launches a long pass over the top for Salah to rush onto. The Egyptian is close to reaching it, but Fabianski is out quickly to get their first.
Fredericks loses the ball in his own half and allows Mane to run at the West Ham defence. He wins a corner, which comes to nothing. Liverpool are growing into the game now after a slow start.
West Ham vs Liverpool kicks off at 8pm on Monday 4 February.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main event and Premier League from 7pm.
Sky Sports customers can stream the game live online on the Sky Go app. The match can also be viewed live by purchasing a NOW TV day pass.
It’s a big game for
Andy Carroll: The former Liverpool man has struggled for game time this season with injuries hampering him while he is no longer first choice at West Ham but if there is any team he will be keen to perform against then it will be the league leaders.
Best stat
4: Liverpool have scored four goals against West Ham in each of their last four meetings in the league.
Remember when
Liverpool. West Ham. Gerrard. FA Cup Final 2006. Frankly, who could possibly forget this.
Player to watch
Sadio Mane: With goals in his last two league outings, the Liverpool forward looks to be recovering his early season form, keen to avoid letting his strike partners Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino take all the limelight.
Past three-meetings
Liverpool 4 (Salah, Mane 2, Sturridge) West Ham 0, Premier League, August 2018
Liverpool 4 (Can, Salah, Firmino, Mane) West Ham 1 (Antonio), Premier League, February 2018
West Ham 1 (Lanzini) Liverpool 4 (Salah 2, Matip, Oxlade-Chamberlain), November 2017
