Midfielder James Ward-Prowse insists West Ham United have what it takes to upset the odds at Premier League title favourites Liverpool and kickstart a strong end to the 2024/25 season.
The Hammers travel to Anfield looking to end their four-game winless run against a side who have been beaten just twice in the league all season, including at Fulham last time out and just once at home, and who sat eleven points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the ranks ahead of this weekend’s action.
Having played his part in the Reds’ only shortfall on home turf this term, when he featured for the full 90 minutes of Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 triumph on Merseyside in September, during his half-season loan stint away from east London, Ward-Prowse is confident of repeating that success back in Claret and Blue.
Following last Saturday’s topsy-turvy 2-2 home draw with AFC Bournemouth, the 30-year-old believes fine margins are all that stand in West Ham’s way of a good run, and he is hopeful they can back up their impressive away win against Arsenal in February, and boost their 16th-place position.
“It’s never easy when you go to Anfield, and they’ll be desperate to show a reaction after being beaten last weekend,” said Ward-Prowse, who has scored once in 24 career appearances against Liverpool, winning on six occasions.
“They’ll know they’re close to winning the league, and will want to take another step forward, but we’ve got lots still to play for ourselves and it’s up to us to put on a performance that helps delay them doing that.
“As a team, these last few games are a chance to rectify what has been a disappointing season so far. And for me personally, every game is a chance to show what you can do, regardless of what you’re aiming for.
“We’ll need things to go our way if we’re to have a good chance of a result - we need a good gameplan, a good performance, and some luck as well - but we can only control what we can control, and go there with lots of belief.
“Over recent weeks, and against Bournemouth last week, we perhaps haven’t played particularly well, but we’ve remained competitive, which I think is important. The nature of the Premier League is that every game is really tough, but that means we know we can make things hard for Liverpool on Sunday.”
Though he is yet to hit the back of the net this campaign, Ward-Prowse notched his second assist of 2024/25 in his last appearance for the Irons against Bournemouth, when Niclas Füllkrug rose to meet his out-swinging corner just after the hour mark.
Well-known for his set-piece proficiency, our No8 is looking to add to his individual numbers before the summer, and score what would be a record-equalling 18th direct free-kick in the top flight.
Ward-Prowse added: “We’ve got a lot of players who are good at attacking set-pieces, and Fülle is one of them, always looking to get on the end of balls in.
“Obviously, he’s had a bit of a tough time with injuries this season, but every player offers their own qualities and attributes to the team, and helps add competition in the squad, which I think is a really good thing. For me, it was nice to get the assist, and I hope there are more of them to come.
“The free-kick record is something that’s still looming in my mind, having not scored one for West Ham yet. It’s a good obstacle to have, though - I’d rather be one away from it, chasing it, than have not scored any at all.
“I think you have to look at it in a positive light, and it’ll happen when it’s meant to happen, I’m sure. Hopefully it might happen at Anfield this weekend!”
