Will Reds make it 47 years?

19/04/2010 11:46:49

Liverpool will aim to rediscover that winning feeling in the Barclays Premier League when they tackle West Ham United at Anfield tonight.

Video: Rafa's West Ham press conference>>The Reds have been held to frustrating draws with Birmingham City and Fulham in their last two outings and will be hoping to pick up three points against the Hammers in order to bolster their top four push.

Liverpool beat West Ham 3-2 in a pulsating game at Upton Park earlier this campaign, with a Fernando Torres brace and Dirk Kuyt's effort securing the win.

However, in last season's corresponding fixture, the Irons claimed a 0-0 draw - but they have not won at Anfield since September 1963.

The opposition

West Ham journey to Merseyside on the back of two encouraging performances, in which they secured a dramatic point against Everton at Goodison Park and beat Sunderland at home.

However, the Irons' position in the Premier League next season is by no means certain and they'll be determined to take a positive result back to east London.

"It's been a difficult season right from the start, but we're still in there fighting," said assistant manager Steve Clarke. "We have to achieve the objective of staying in the Premier League and we're all confident we can do that.

"The best thing to do now is to get the points that we require. We're not sure what the points tally will be, so we go to Liverpool, we give a good account of ourselves and then we take stock on Tuesday. We see where we are, and build for the next game after that.

"We're focused on the next game. That's as far as we look. At this moment in time, it would be foolish for us to look further ahead, so we look at the next game and getting the points required to keep West Ham United in the Premier League."

The boss

Gianfranco Zola was appointed as the Irons boss in September 2008, signing a three-year contract and becoming the first foreign coach to manage at Upton Park in the process.

His first game in charge saw West Ham dispatch Newcastle 3-1 in London but the likeable Italian has watched the form of the club fluctuate since his arrival, though he extended his deal in April 2009.

Zola's only previous management experience came as an assistant to Pierluigi Casiraghi in the Italian U21 set-up.

The 43-year-old is best known for his successful playing career.

His first break came as the legendary Diego Maradona's understudy at Napoli, having previously spent time at Nuorese and Torres.

"I learnt everything from Diego," Zola said of his time with Maradona. "I used to spy on him every time he trained and learned how to curl a free-kick just like him.

"After one year I had completely changed. I saw him do things in training and in matches I had never even dreamed possible. He was simply the best I've ever seen."

Zola won the Scudetto during his first season in the Italian top-flight but was sold to Parma in 1993 for 'financial reasons'.

By now a regular for Italy, Zola continued to flourish at his new club, winning the UEFA Cup in 1995.

In November 1996, Zola joined Chelsea and made an instant impact, winning the FA Cup and being named the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.

Zola went on to make over 200 appearances at Stamford Bridge and was voted Chelsea's best ever player by the fans.