Klopp Boost: West Ham Dealt Triple Injury Blow Ahead Of Liverpool Clash

West Ham’s injury problems are mounting after Michail Antonio, Sam Byram and Jose Fonte were ruled out of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Antonio has endured a frustrating campaign so far as he’s taken his time rediscovering his best form having undergone an operation in the summer to repair a torn hamstring.

The England international suffered a rib injury during the 3-0 home defeat to Brighton last month but was passed fit to be on the bench against Crystal Palace last weekend.

The winger came on for the final half hour at Selhurst Park and was partially at fault for Palace’s last gasp equaliser but it seems he also aggravated his rib problem during the 2-2 draw.

Antonio suffered a recurrence of the injury against Palace and Slaven Bilic has now confirmed the winger has been ruled out of this weekend’s visit of Liverpool to the London Stadium.

This news will come as a major blow to Bilic as he fights to save his job and the Hammers will sorely miss Antonio’s quality against the Merseysiders this Saturday.

To add to West Ham’s woes, Byram and Fonte have also been ruled out of this weekend’s Liverpool game while Pablo Zabaleta is suspended having collected his fifth booking of the season and James Collins remains out with an ankle problem.

Bilic is quoted as telling reporters at his press conference this afternoon:

#WHUFC have some injury problems – particularly in defence – "Zabaleta is suspended. Collins, Fonte, Antonio and Sam Byram [all injured].”

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 2, 2017

The good news for Bilic is that Winston Reid is fit to return after recovering from a calf injury while Aaron Cresswell is also available despite picking up a knock against Palace.

Liverpool have injury worries of their own as Philippe Coutinho is set to once again miss out with an adductor injury while Dejan Lovren is facing a late fitness test on a groin issue.

Gini Wijnaldum suffered an ankle injury in the Champions League last night and although Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane are expected to make their returns after the international break, they remain on the sidelines along with Nathaniel Clyne.