Liverpool host Westham in the last 8 of the EFL Cup. Liverpool are the former EFL Cup champions and they are already in the last 8 of the competition. They eliminated Ponemouth 2-1 in the last round and they have sent their main players to the match, with Mohammed Sana and Subos Lal in the starting lineup, so they will continue to play their strongest lineups. "Westham's last 3 halves have all opened with 2 goals or more, so I'd like to see a 1.5 goal half-time score. (Live on HOY TV 77 at 4am on Thursday)
Liverpool's last EPL "Double Red Club" was smothered by Manchester United 0-0, breaking their 11-game home winning streak. However, the Reds' 34 shots on goal in the match proved that their offense was full of firepower, and they couldn't score a goal because the strikers were too eager, and the United team was determined to defend after shrinking back. Westham won't play defensive soccer like Man U, and are expected to have more space for offense.
In the past, the "Reds" used to rotate a lot to cope with the EFL Cup, but according to their earlier matches, it is obvious that they have changed their strategy this season and sent more starters to the match. Manager Gopo will make a move this time, and "listen to the public's opinion" by taking away Darwin Nunes, who has a malfunctioning offense, and replacing him with Gopo's Mohammed Shahnah and Luis Dias, which will make the offense performance look like its old self.
Westham won the historic UEFA Champions League last season, and have been playing on three fronts this season - the league, UEFA Cup and EFL Cup - and have done very well, finishing 8th in the league, first in the UEFA Cup, and knocking out Arsenal 3-1 in the last round of the EFL Cup. However, the Hammers have been on a roll lately, losing 5 eggs to Fulham earlier in the season, and then beating Freiburg and Wolves in the last two games. In the last 3 games, they have opened the scoring with 2 goals or more at half-time regardless of whether they win or lose, so they will face Liverpool, who are very strong in attacking power.
