Steve McManaman is to be rested for Liverpool's Premiership clash with West Ham at Anfield on Saturday because of a niggling ankle problem. It will be the first game this season the England star has missed. Anfield boss Roy Evans has decided to rest the flying winger rather than run the risk of a major injury. Evans said: This really is an accumulation of problems. We've played him recently and frankly taken a chance in doing that. He's got through games, but to be fair it's not fair on Steve. He doesn't want to miss a game and wants to battle on through, but it's not fair to him in the end to keep playing him when he's not fully fit. Evans added: Steve has power and pace, but he's lacking that if he's carrying an injury. The World Cup doesn't come into my consideration at the moment. The most important thing is Liverpool and the World Cup comes after that. If Macca was anywhere near fit we'd play him and take that chance, as we have done for the last three games. Steve would agree with that himself. But there comes a time when it is not sensible to go on like this. McManaman has been unable to train between matches, and after three weeks of treatment and rest, the strain has clearly caught up on the 26-year-old. McManaman's team-mate Jamie Redknapp will also not be considered for the West Ham match, but Evans believes he will play again this season. Jamie is progressing day by day and we are still hopeful he will play a part before the end of the season, he said. Meanwhile defender Mark Wright's planned comeback was thwarted when he had to pull out of a reserve game after feeling a twinge in his back. Michael Owen returns after his one-match ban, but David Thompson is injured. Dominic Matteo and Rob Jones are missing through injuries and will be replaced by Jason McAteer and Steve Harkness. And Evans' selection problems are heightened by doubts over youngsters David Thompson and Nicky Rizzo. Jamie Carragher and Danny Murphy are expected to play in midfield, although Patrik Berger could play on the wing as McManaman's replacement. The Hammers hope to welcome back John Moncur and Paul Kitson, who have been suffering from groin injuries. He's nowhere near fit; said Redknapp of Kitson. He's still a month away from that, but I will be looking to get him involved at Anfield. David Unsworth returns from suspension for the Hammers and John Moncur is hoping to have recovered from a groin strain. But Andy Impey is a doubt with a foot injury. Liverpool (4th) v West Ham (7th) Last season: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham, West Ham 1-2 Liverpool Last five League matches: Liverpool W D W D L, West Ham L D D W L Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 21, John Hartson (West Ham) 24 Match odds: H 5-6 A 5-2 D 5-2 Ref: J T Winter (Stockton-on-Tees) Football365 Predicts Liverpool 2 West Ham 2 Two teams that have been consistently good without ever being great this season. West Ham will be delighted with the progress they're making, while Liverpool will be looking back on yet another nearly season. Goals are likely with two decidedly average defences, so the points will be shared.

HEAD-TO-HEAD FRIEDEL v LAMA   Most people thought it was impossible that Liverpool could sign a keeper who was worse than David James. But now they're having their doubts. America's finest, Brad Friedel, has yet to convince between the sticks for the Anfield side, while confirmed pot-smoker Bernard Lama has been hailed as a top level stopper by the cognoscenti at West Ham. So what do the stats tell us? Friedel Lama Minutes On Pitch 720 810 Goals Conceded 15 9 Clean Sheets 0 3 Saves Inside Box 12 17 Outside Box 13 18 % Shots Saved 63 80 Catches Punches 5 9 Catches 31 30 Dropped Catches 1 6 Catch Success Rate % 97 83 Kicks Long Kick to Own Player 30 79 Long Kick to Opposition 105 139 Kicking Success Rate % 22 36 Throws/Short Kicks T/SK - Own Player 81 95 T/SK - Opposition 2 2 T/SK -Success Rate 98 98 So, no clean sheets in eight games for Brad. Not so hot, and his percentage of shots saved at 63% is well below Lama's 80%. His catch success rate of 90% to 83%is marginally better, but a 22% kicking success rate compared to 36% from the Frenchman surely shows who the better keeper is. Keep chilling, Bernard!

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