1. Remembering Bobby Moore
Monday 24 February marks the 27th anniversary of the death of West Ham United and England’s greatest-ever captain and finest-ever defender, Bobby Moore.
The half-back, who led the Hammers to FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup success in 1964 and 1965 respectively, before captaining England to FIFA World Cup glory in 1966 – lifting all three trophies at Wembley Stadium – made 647 appearances in Claret and Blue between 1958 and 1974.
Capped 108 times by England, Moore led West Ham to one of only four victories at Liverpool in their history, a 2-1 win in September 1963.
The legend sadly passed away in 1993, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, and West Ham’s players will warm up in shirts supporting the charity set up in his memory, the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, before Monday’s match at Anfield.
2. Captain Mark Noble could make history
Mark Noble could become the first West Ham United captain to lead the Hammers to victory at Anfield on two separate occasions.
The No16, who wore the armband during West Ham’s 3-0 Premier League win over Liverpool in August 2015, would make history if he starts as skipper and the Irons overcome Jürgen Klopp’s side on Monday evening.
Prior to Noble’s afternoon to remember four-and-a-half years ago – he scored the Irons’ second goal and was later sent off – it was Bobby Moore who led West Ham to victory at Anfield in September 1964, and, before him, it was Malcolm Allison in September 1954 and Billy Moore in February 1928.
3. West Ham United can jump out of the bottom three
With none of the four teams above, or two clubs below, them in the Premier League table winning, results went West Ham United's way again over the weekend.
Indeed, while the Hammers will kick off inside the bottom three at Anfield, a victory over Liverpool would see David Moyes' side rise two places, above AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa, into 16th position. Even a draw would see the Irons jump above Villa and out of the relegation zone.
4. Michail Antonio’s fine record against Liverpool
Michail Antonio has scored five goals in just seven West Ham United appearances against Liverpool.
The No30 netted a flying header in a 2-0 home win at the Boleyn Ground back in January 2016, before repeating the feat in the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round replay win the following month.
After scoring in a 2-2 top-flight draw at Anfield in December 2016, and a 4-1 defeat on Merseyside in February 2018, Antonio hit the net again with a right-footed shot in the 1-1 draw at London Stadium a year ago.
The only player to have scored more top-flight goals against Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool is Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, with seven.
5. The loyal support of the Claret and Blue Army
With West Ham United eager to climb the Premier League table, the loyal support of the Claret and Blue Army will be vital.
For the third time this month, Hammers supporters will be heading to the North West for a match that is being broadcast live on television by Sky Sports.
Just as they did for both the postponed and rearranged fixtures at Manchester City, fans travelling to the game from London will complete a 400-plus mile round trip and, by the season’s end, fans attending all 19 away Premier League matches will have covered more than 2,500 miles in total.
It is that unrivalled commitment that deserves to be rewarded with safety come 17 May.