A new Premier League season is upon us and West Ham enter the campaign with plenty of optimism following a vast spending spree in the summer.
Manuel Pellegrini has recruited heavily following his arrival at the London Stadium, drafting in the likes of Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko.
However, the Hammers face a tough test on the opening weekend against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, widely tipped as the leading contenders to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes the Reds will have too much for West Ham at Anfield, tipping a 2-0 victory for the home side.
In his weekly predictions, the former Arsenal man said:
“I can’t see anything but a Liverpool win. West Ham have bought well but so have Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp has targeted where he needs to strengthen and I expect Alisson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri to improve them.
“They look a really good team and this is a really tough start for Manuel Pellegrini.”
