West Ham United v Liverpool Match Preview

Photo credit: West Ham United FC

West Ham United will travel to St. Helen’s stadium this weekend to face Liverpool in the Women’s Super League. This will be the second time in a matter of days that the teams will play each other, after their fourth round FA Cup fixture was put on hold for nearly three weeks.  

After losing 5-0 in the week, can West Ham turn the score line around this weekend?

Recent Performances:

Liverpool haven’t been in the best form recently, winning only one of their previous six WSL matches, which included their controversial loss away at Leicester City last weekend. An early goal from Olivia Smith put the Reds ahead, but two goals from Leicester left them trailing from the 40th minute. However, a different story was told when the squad picked themselves up for their FA Cup clash against West Ham midweek, producing a 5-0 victory with goals from Leanne Kiernan, Grace Fisk, Lucy Parry, Sam Kerr and an own goal from Camila Sáez.  

After a successful evening in London, Liverpool will return home to St Helen’s Stadium and will have their eyes on claiming a second successive home victory after their win against Brighton & Hove Albion mid January. In their most recent home clash with the Hammers in March 2024, they claimed maximum points with a 3-1 victory.  

West Ham won their most recent WSL game, at home against Everton, where a 2-0 victory lifted them further away from the relegation zone. Goals from Shekeira Martinez and Viviane Asseyi gave them the win over the Toffees. Unfortunately, they were unable to keep the goals coming midweek, when they suffered their second 5-0 defeat in three competitive home games. Wednesday night was tough when they had to play over 50 minutes with just 10 players after Amber Tysiak received a straight red card in the first half.  

Rehanne Skinner’s side will be looking to claim their first WSL away victory since playing Bristol City in January 2024, where they won 1-2. In their last 11 away games the Hammers have drew two and lost nine.  

Stand Out Players:

Liverpool’s Olivia Smith has been one to watch this season, after signing for £210,000 the club’s record fee, she has made 16 appearances and scored five goals and became the first female to score for Liverpool at Anfield. Her most recent goal against Brighton has been shortlisted for WSL goal of the month and she has also been nominated for January’s WSL player of the month award. Smith was part of Canada’s 2023 Women’s World Cup squad and received the Young player of the Tournament prize, and most recently was named Canada’s Young player of the year in 2024.  

For West Ham, one to watch in this game will be Shekeira Martinez. She signed for the club in July 2024 on a three year contract, and immediately went out on loan to SC Freiburg. During her time there, she made 12 appearances, scoring five goals and assisting two. In the January window, Martinez came back to West Ham and has since made two appearances and scored her first WSL goal against Everton. On the international stage, Martinez has represented Germany at youth levels and was the top scorer, with nine goals, at the 2018 Under-17 Championship.

Team News and Predicted Lineups:

Liverpool’s bench could look a little thin as they are expected to be without Sofie Lundgaard, Niamh Fahey, Jasmine Matthews and Faye Kirby. They could also be without Hannah Silcock, following her absence from their last two matches because of injury. Lucy Parry will be eager for a starting spot this weekend, after featuring as a half time substitute on Wednesday.  

There are no current injury concerns for the visitors, however, Amber Tysiak will be absent because of serving a suspension period. With Tysiak’s absence, Zadorsky could feature in the backline, following her 43rd minute substitution entrance midweek. The weekend may also see January signing Vera Hanshaw enter the field after being ineligible for Wednesday night’s clash.

Liverpool: Micah, Fisk, Parry, Kerr, Holland, Enderby, Hobinger, Clark, Evans, Smith, Roman-Haug

West Ham: Szemik, Smith, Li, Ueki, Paví, Zadorsky, Denton, Asseyi, Gorry, Piubel, Hanshaw

The game will kick off at 2pm and can be watched live on the Barclays Women’s Super League YouTube channel.