West Ham boss Graham Potter is facing a tough call ahead of their massive Premier League showdown against Liverpool.
With the league leaders in unstoppable form, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether Niclas Fullkrug will finally be fit enough to start.
The German striker, who’s just returned from a frustrating three-month spell out with a hamstring injury, has made quite the impression off the bench.
But is he ready for the starting XI at Anfield? That’s something Potter and his staff are still trying to figure out.
Impact Player… But Not Quite Ready?
Fullkrug’s comeback has been brief but impressive.
He’s only played twice since returning—both times as a substitute—but he’s made his presence known.
He rattled the bar against Wolves and nearly helped steal a late equalizer, then followed that up with a powerful header against Bournemouth to salvage a point.
It’s no wonder Potter’s eager to get him in the lineup.
West Ham have been struggling to find the net, and since Potter took over from Julen Lopetegui, only bottom-side Leicester have scored fewer goals.
Still, Potter’s playing the long game.
“He’s clearly got quality,” said Potter.
“You can tell from the impact he’s had already.
“He gives us more options going forward and has a really positive presence around the team.
“But it’s been a stop-start season for him injury-wise, so we’re trying to bring him back in the right way.”
Cautious Optimism on Fullkrug’s Availability
The good news? Fullkrug trained with the squad and didn’t show any immediate signs of discomfort. But Potter’s not taking any chances.
“He had a bit of muscle tightness—not quite fatigue, but we just wanted to be careful after the weekend,” the manager explained.
“He trained today, which is a good sign. Hopefully there’s no reaction, and he’ll be part of the squad.”
Whether that means a place in the starting XI or just another cameo off the bench remains to be seen.
West Ham’s Attacking Woes Continue
West Ham fans haven’t been shy about their frustrations.
They let the team know it at half-time against Bournemouth, as boos echoed through the stadium.
But once Fullkrug was brought on, the energy shifted. Still, the bigger picture isn’t looking great.
Under Potter, the Hammers have only picked up 12 points from 11 matches.
If other results don’t go their way, they could slip to 17th place—just hovering above the drop zone.
Even more concerning is the team’s lack of attacking punch.
Only Leicester are averaging fewer shots per game, and it’s clear Potter’s side is missing its offensive firepower.
Missing Pieces and Defensive Priorities
Potter hasn’t had much to work with up front.
“We’ve been without Fullkrug, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville—and Jarrod Bowen has missed a good chunk of time too,” he pointed out.
With that many key players out, it’s no surprise Potter’s first priority was to sort out the defense.
“If you’re conceding more than two goals a game, it doesn’t really matter who’s playing up top—you’re going to be in trouble,” he said.
He’s worked on tightening things up at the back, and the stats show some improvement.
“When we came in, the team had let in over 50 goals in the previous 25 games,” he added.
“So yeah, we’ve made some progress.”
Building Balance One Game at a Time
Despite the challenges, Potter’s staying focused. He knows the team isn’t playing their best football yet, but he’s hopeful the pieces will come together.
“We know there’s more we can do in attack. It’s all about finding that balance between being solid defensively and creative going forward,” he said.
“Was it champagne football against Bournemouth? No. But it wasn’t as bad as it looked either.”
Potter’s approach now is simple: take it day by day, game by game, and finish the season strong.
With Liverpool next on the schedule, he’ll be hoping for a bit of magic—and maybe, just maybe, a start for Fullkrug.