West Ham United won’t break Liverpool curse after David Moyes update on Jarrod Bowen
West Ham United will not break their curse against Liverpool if Jarrod Bowen does not start for the Hammers at Anfield.
David Moyes has confirmed his star striker did not play for the Hammers in their Europa League return against Backa Topola on Thursday (September 21) due to illness, raising serious doubts over his participation in the Premier League clash against the Reds.
Quoted by the Evening Standard (September 22), Moyes said: “Bowen has a virus. I hope he is well.
I’ll check it out. He hasn’t trained this week, nothing, so I’ll have to see how he’s doing.”The Hammers have something of a curse against Liverpool.
They rarely come up against Jurgen Klopp’s side as favourites, having failed to pick up three points thirteen times in their last fourteen top-flight games in almost seven years, with one win and one draw in that period [11v11].
But there was some hope in this fight. Liverpool came very late to secure the expected three points against a resilient Wolves in their last Premier League match and had to rely on goals in the final ten minutes to secure victory at St James’ Park.
West Ham’s start to the season has perhaps been more impressive.
With Liverpool three points clear of the Hammers, excellent counter-attacks and emphatic wins against Brighton and Chelsea have shown us what Moyes’ boys have to offer.
Both teams endured the physical toll of European football on Thursday (September 21), but players such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Darwin Nunez all had to make the 2,060-mile round trip to Austria to face LASK , while the West Ham players had to do it after their 3-1 victory at the London Stadium and had to make a short trip home as coach.
Bowen in particular has been one of West Ham’s standout players this season.
The English man is just behind the sensational James Ward-Prowes as the best player to date, but Bowen’s constant goal threat and creativity have made him special this season.
The former Hull City player has scored the most goals in the Premier League for his team this season (3) and has also picked up an assist.
He has the most shots on goal per 90 (1.20), the most shot-creating actions (14) and also fulfills his defensive duties with the most tackles of any attacking player [FBRef].
The Hammers have often relied on counter-attacks to score goals out of nowhere this season.
Often, players like Bowen thrive against energetic, pressing teams like Liverpool, so his absence can make it more difficult to achieve their tactical desires.
Bowen has also been in good form against top teams.
Last season he received assists against Arsenal and Chelsea and scored a goal against the Gunners [Transfermarkt].
He would like to play against Liverpool, especially at Anfield.
It seems unlikely that the Hammers will manage an elusive victory against Liverpool on Sunday (September 24) without one of their star players, so Hammers fans across East London will be eagerly awaiting team news at 1pm to see if their European players Cup winner has a chance to catch fire again.
