Jurgen Klopp praises two West Ham players ahead of Premier League clash

Jurgen Klopp singled out West Ham United midfielders Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse for special praise ahead of Liverpool's crunch Premier League clash at Anfield. 

The Hammers have enjoyed a solid start to their 2023-24 Premier League campaign and come into the game against Liverpool with a creditable tally of ten points from five games. Speaking ahead of the game at a press conference, Jurgen Klopp referred to David Moyes' side as 'extremely strong opponents', lavishing praise on Ward-Prowse and Paqueta.

He said (quotes via BBC): "So many extremely strong opponents and West Ham are one of them,” he was quoted by the BBC as saying to the media ahead of the game.

“It’s a really exciting project and I am really happy for David [Moyes]. Even with Declan Rice out they look really good. [James] Ward-Prowse was a super signing, and [Lucas] Paqueta is not a new signing but he is a super player.”

Paqueta and Ward-Prowse are expected to be named in the starting XI as West Ham aim to make a statement with a positive result. However, Liverpool have also started the new Premier League season in good form, notching up four wins and a draw from five games so far.

Both teams emerged victorious in the UEFA Europa League in midweek, indicating that the Premier League clash at Anfield could prove to be an exciting contest. West Ham came from behind to beat Serbian SuperLiga side Backa Topola 3-1, while Liverpool also staged a fightback to win by the same scoreline against Austrian side LASK away from home.

The Reds are currently third in the Premier League table - only behind second-placed Tottenham Hotspur on goals scored - and will look to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City with a win at Anfield.