FA Cup Final Preview

The Reds go into this game clear favourites. With eleven straight wins in all competitions they are on their best run for seventeen years. The Anfield club are unbeaten in eight against West Ham, winning the last four. West Ham have not beaten the Reds since a 1-0 win at Upton Park on 27 November 1999, when Trevor Sinclair scored the winner. In the league this season they beat West Ham home and away, although West Ham ran them close at Upton Park in a game in which both sides withheld players.

West Ham seem to have returned to some form themselves, having won two successive league games. Alan Pardew is eager to become the first English manager to win the FA Cup since Joe Royle did it with Everton in 1995. With the recent deaths of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall West Ham will be hoping that their memorial is a FA Cup win.

The key to this game could be in midfield. Steven Gerrard, Momo Sissoko and Xabi Alonso often control games for LIverpool in midfield, and with Mullins missing for West Ham it is important that Reo-Coker and who ever partners him are at the top of their game.

Prediction 1-0 to West Ham.

West Ham this season have looked strong late on in games. West Ham will restrict Liverpool in the first half and Harewood will score a late winner.