Stuart Pearce
Former England full-back, BBC Radio 5 live at Upton Park

"Andy Carroll's ability as a target man would cause problems in any league in the world. But what he doesn't have is the ability to get a run of games. I hope he can overcome his injury problems, if not for West Ham's sake, then for England's."  

Image source, Getty Images

The players are on the pitch, the fans are singing about forever blowing bubbles. A minute or so until we kick-off. 

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on the Reds' title chances:

"Liverpool are contenders to win the league, like the other teams above them. If they have a good run, of course they can win it.

"Klopp has been a boost for the Premier League. All the big clubs wanted to take him. He is good for the league. Expectations are high."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the festive fixtures:

"It’s intensive, we cannot ignore this. It’s the most intensive time in the year after an intensive time, so we are not on holiday for sure. 

"But it’s the same situation for nearly all the teams - we have two [cup] games more but that’s how it is. We wanted to go to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup and now we are in it, now we want to go to the final of course, and that’s what we have to deal with.

"It’s a situation and we have to be prepared for all these games, that’s our job. It’s not that you can just say, ‘come on, boys!’ - that’s what we say and that’s what we expect but it’s really intensive."

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender on Football Focus

“Christian Benteke has his critics, but he has just earned Liverpool six points. He’s not the answer to the way Klopp wants to play. But he is at the moment, because they have nobody else. If you watch the goals he scores, they come when he doesn’t have to think about it. When he does, he’s not quite wired up in the right way.”

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

Image source, Getty Images

"Liverpool look more of a threat away from home at the moment. They are creating so many chances on the road but Christian Benteke - who has scored the matchwinner in their last two games - is a dilemma for Jurgen Klopp. The Belgian is scoring goals, but I think Klopp would prefer someone more mobile for his system. While he is their main striker and putting the chances away though, what do you do?"  

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"Slaven Bilic had a great record against Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.

"In August he guided West Ham to a first win at Anfield since 1963, whilst his Besiktas side knocked Liverpool out of the Europa League last season.

"Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have put in some stunning displays (Manchester City and Southampton), but also some desperately poor ones (Newcastle and Watford): consistency is an issue.

"Another issue is Liverpool's defending of set-pieces, a fault Andy Carroll will hope to exploit.

"Still Liverpool's record signing, Carroll has two goals this season - both scored as a substitute, both in the 79th minute and both in 2-1 home wins. Liverpool's German manager may not know the expression that trouble comes in threes…"

Jurgen Klopp has shuffled his line-up for the trip to West Ham with Jordan Ibe and Lucas starting instead of Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana. 

Captain Henderson has suffered a setback in his return from injury, while Lallana is on the substitutes' bench.

Image source, Opta

I'm pleased to tell you there is team news to bring you. 

Andy Carroll starts for West Ham against his former club after coming off the bench to score the winner against Southampton on 28 December. 

The striker is one of three changes to the Hammers’ starting line-up, with Aaron Cresswell and Manuel Lanzini being the other fresh faces.

Image source, Opta

West Ham beat Liverpool the last time these two sides met, winning at Anfield in the league for the first time since.1963. 

But can the Hammers do the double over the Merseysiders? They last did so in the, well, 1963-64 season. 

Funnier things have happened. 

Welcome to our live page for West Ham United v Liverpool. We’ll have Radio 5 live and text commentary here from 12:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.