Live Commentary

Cole looks to fire against Hammers Joe Cole is hoping for another opportunity to ignite his Liverpool career against first club West Ham when the two sides meet on Sunday. The England midfielder has endured a frustrating season at Anfield after a high-profile free transfer from Chelsea last summer. The 29-year-old was sent off on his Barclays Premier League debut for the club in August and has since been hampered by injuries and poor form. Former boss Roy Hodgson became reluctant to use the player but the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as caretaker manager seven weeks ago has offered a fresh chance. Cole had to wait until Thursday's Europa League clash with Sparta Prague for his first start under Dalglish due to a knee problem but lasted the full 90 minutes and could continue at Upton Park. Dalglish said: "Joe Cole coming back is a real bonus for us. It has been a stop-start season for him. "It is a great credit to him the way he finished Thursday's game - he ran almost the full length of the pitch to almost score in the last minute. "There is not much wrong with his fitness, he just needs to get back into match practice and the lad will be okay." Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is hoping to prove his fitness to return at West Ham after three games out with a groin injury. Striker Luis Suarez is back in contention after being cup-tied for the last two games against Sparta. Defenders Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger will all be assessed but the match is likely to be too soon for #35million record signing Andy Carroll to make his debut. Dalglish is expecting the relegation-threatened Hammers to provide a stern examination of his team's credentials. He said: "We go into every game knowing it is going to be difficult and West Ham is no different to any other, irrespective of league position. "It is a magnificent club we are playing against and we will always treat them with respect. "But the most important team to get ready is our team. We will do our best to do that. "West Ham are a fantastic football club that have not had the best of seasons but that doesn't mean to say they can't turn it on on their day. "I just hope their day isn't Sunday." It will be the first time Dalglish has prepared a team to play the weekend after a midweek European game. The 59-year-old did not manage in Europe during his first spell in charge from 1985-91 due to a ban imposed on English clubs. Much is often made of the hangovers Premier League teams have suffered from playing in Europe but that is not an issue concerning Dalglish. He said: "We have not done anything we wouldn't have done if it was a normal league game. "There are a few players that could be back on Sunday that could be helpful and freshen the team up a bit. "But if you are going to win matches you are going to have to play more." Cole will not be the only familiar face to step off the Liverpool coach at Upton Park on Sunday. Steve Clarke spent last season as Gianfranco Zola's assistant before joining Liverpool as Dalglish's first-team coach last month. Clarke is a highly-respected figure within the game and Hammers boss Avram Grant, who worked with the Scot at Stamford Bridge, thinks he has played a big role in the recent turnaround in Liverpool's fortunes. Grant said: "Steve, he is a very, very good coach on the pitch and I am sure he is doing a good job at Liverpool. "For three months before I was the manager at Chelsea, I saw that he did a good job and it was important that he stayed on when I became manager because he is good on the pitch, and in making the right training arrangements and he's very organised. "I like him, he did a good job." West Ham have been boosted by Matthew Upson's return to training from an Achilles injury that was initially feared could rule him out for the rest of the campaign. The Hammers captain, who is out of contract at the end of the season, came through a light workout at Upton Park on Friday just three weeks after suffering the injury against Birmingham, although he is unlikely to be involved on Sunday. Victor Obinna is a doubt with a foot injury while Robbie Keane is missing with a calf strain, but Danny Gabbidon is fit after recovering from a hamstring problem.