West Ham United vs Liverpool - Bilic ready for fourth instalment of West Ham versus Liverpool

Posted Tuesday, February 09, 2016 by PA

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic knows what his side are up against as they get set for a fourth meeting with Liverpool this season.

A trip to Blackburn is the prize awaiting the winners when the Hammers host Liverpool at Upton Park in their FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday.

West Ham have beaten a full-strength Liverpool twice in the Premier League this season, but could not break down a youthful side on Merseyside as the original tie at Anfield ended goalless.

"We've played Liverpool many times this season, twice recently with different line-ups," said Bilic.

"We played their strongest team and then a team with five or six regular starters, so we are well prepared for whatever team they come with.

"They are a big club, a big side. They've had ups and downs this season but make no mistake, whenever a team is facing them, you have to have a complete game.

"You can't give them time and space because they will harm you, they have quality. We have to be good, brave, direct and skilful, which we showed in two out of the three games we played them."

Bilic will be without defender James Tomkins, who is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Southampton.

With Sam Byram cup-tied and Carl Jenkinson out for the season, Joey O'Brien will start at right-back for the first time since West Ham's Europa League campaign ended in July.

"Tomkins needs a scan and after that we will know how bad it is - if we are lucky (it will be) two weeks, maybe four," said Bilic.

"Joey O'Brien is back after a long absence. He's a good player, his quality was never in doubt but he was injured. Then add what happened to Carl Jenkinson...but it's good we've got Sam and with O'Brien we are well covered."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declared himself "back in the race" as he returned to work less than 48 hours after having his appendix removed.

The German missed Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland as he was undergoing surgery at Aintree Hospital after becoming ill.

But the 48-year-old was back to work at home the following day, reviewing the weekend's game, and decided he wanted to be involved in Monday's preparations for West Ham at the club's Melwood training ground.

"I feel good and I am back in the race," said Klopp.

"I figured if I feel bad I should stay at home, but I feel good.

"If I am not fit then I cannot help here and I would be at home. Everything is okay and we don't have to talk about this any more."

Klopp will be on the touchline for the trip to Upton Park, although he accepts he will not be his usual highly-animated self in the technical area.

"I think I am experienced to know that for me it is not a normal coaching game so I won't be jumping about," he said.

"I can't win the game with my emotions outside, I know this, so I can handle it no worries."

With no questions over the fitness of the manager, fans will have been pleased to hear Klopp also describe the injury-plagued Daniel Sturridge's recent training session as "impressive".

The striker, who has not played since early December, was a surprise inclusion on the bench on Saturday ahead of schedule although he did not get chance to get on as two first-half injuries scuppered plans.

He looks set to be included against West Ham, along with fellow striker Divock Origi and playmaker Philippe Coutinho who have both recovered from hamstring injuries.

"He was impressive the last session on Friday night so we thought if there was a chance for 10 or 15 minutes (playing on Saturday) we should try it," Klopp said.

"We spoke to him and he said he'd like to but then the game had a different story and there was no possibility with two early changes.

"Divock and Phil will be training today and hopefully in the squad for tomorrow.

"Extra-time is possible so it is a little bit complicated with the changes and they can't start all together because you know we will have to change three times because the whole game will be too much in this moment."

Liverpool midfielders Joe Allen (hamstring) and Cameron Brannagan (illness) will not play while centre-back Dejan Lovren is likely to be rested as a precaution after being taken off with cramp at the weekend.