Is there no end to the ludicrous outside influences on Liverpool’s season? Not content with a beach ball, the Icelandic volcanic cloud has now disrupted Rafael Benítez’s campaign by preventing Fernando Torres from returning to Spain for a final check-up on his dodgy knee. Without the all-clear from the specialist who operated on the joint in January, Torres will be absent against West Ham on Monday and Liverpool reliant on discovering the cutting edge that was painfully lacking against Fulham without him. Gianfranco Zola would be well advised to copy Roy Hodgson’s tactics at Anfield, however soul-destroying. Andy Hunter

Venue Anfield, Monday 8pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Liverpool 0 West Ham 0

Referee P Walton

This season’s matches 23 Y58, R4, 2.70 cards per game

Odds Liverpool 2-5 West Ham 10-1 Draw 4-1

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Benayoun, Kuyt, Lucas, Degen, Darby, Ayala, Torres, Pacheco, Plessis, El Zhar

Doubtful Torres (knee)

Injured Aurélio (thigh, 24 Apr), Insúa (knee, 24 Apr), Skrtel (foot, 24 Apr), Kelly (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide DDWLWL

Disciplinary record Y47 R2

Leading scorer Torres 18

West Ham

Subs from Kurucz, Stech, Gabbidon, Dyer, Franco, Mido, McCarthy, Ilunga, Collison, Daprela, Spence, Stanislas

Doubtful Collison (knee), Dyer (hamstring), Ilunga (calf)

Injured Tomkins (ankle, 24 Apr), Boa Morte (knee, Aug), Hines (knee, Aug)

Suspended Parker (last of two)

Form guide WDLLLL

Disciplinary record Y60 R3

Leading scorer Cole 9

Match pointers

• Liverpool have won nine of their last 11 Premier League meetings with West Ham

• West Ham have scored four goals in 14 Premier League visits to Anfield, the worst ratio of any side to have played there 10 or more times

• Eight of Liverpool’s last 10 top-flight goals have either been scored (six) or assisted (two) by Fernando Torres

• West Ham have not won away since their 2-0 triumph at Wolves on the opening day of the season

• Liverpool have hit the woodwork more times (16) than any other side this season

• West Ham have averaged 1.29 points per game in the league this season with Scott Parker in the side compared to one per game without him

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