“There is no fear in football.” “Never”: Lopetegui urges West Ham to fight Liverpool | West Ham United

Julen Lopetegui has urged West Ham not to be afraid against Liverpool on Sunday despite missing six first-choice players for the game against the league leaders due to a growing injury crisis.

With his job on the line following the defeat to Leicester at the start of December, Lopetegui has eased the pressure somewhat over the holidays, with the 1-0 win at Southampton on Boxing Day making it four games without defeat. However, this hard-fought victory came at a price. Lukasz Fabianski left the pitch wearing a neck brace after a nasty head collision and is certain to miss the game against Liverpool, although Lopetegui confirmed the goalkeeper was conscious and spoke in the dressing room after the game.

Maximilian Kilman (shoulder) and Carlos Soler (knee) were also sidelined with injuries alongside Michail Antonio, who was out for a long time. Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodríguez received their fifth yellow cards of the season at St. Mary’s and are therefore suspended for Liverpool’s away game.

“We were resilient and were able to get three important points as a team with a lot of problems,” said Lopetegui about the win over Southampton. “Now we have to manage to get these problems under control for the next big challenge against Liverpool. We have problems. We have a lot of defenders, only two central defenders. But it happens. We have to be ready.”

West Ham have won just one of their last 16 Premier League meetings with Liverpool – a 3-2 win in November 2021 – and Arne Slot’s side sit top of the table. But Lopetegui insists his team must keep up with the league leaders. “Afraid?” he said. “NO. We have great respect for all teams, but we have the same respect for Southampton and Liverpool, everyone.

“It’s different because we’re talking about the best team in the Premier League: top players, a very good coach. You are now at altitude. But we have to believe in our strengths and opportunities in order to make solutions and decisions for the next challenge. We are happy to have games like this at home. We believe in our players. No fear. We’re just afraid of other things – there’s no fear in football. Never.”

In Antonio’s absence following a car accident in early December, Niclas Füllkrug again led the line against Southampton, passing the ball for Jarrod Bowen, who scored the only goal of the game. While it was another step in the right direction for the German after a long battle with injuries early in his West Ham career, it was largely ineffective amid calls for the club to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window Take sight.