The Hammers have enjoyed plenty of success against Manchester United and Arsenal in recent seasons and came from behind to beat United 2-1 in a stirring Upton Park encounter at the end of December.

Their record against Liverpool is far less impressive, however, with no wins in the 11 meetings since a Trevor Sinclair goal gave them a 1-0 home victory in November 1999.

But Curbishley is confident that poor run could be brought to an end against a Reds side that is currently adrift of its usual Champions League qualifying berth in the Barclays Premier League table.

front foot

He said: "We will have to try to change that record. We have competed so far this year especially against the top four sides, and they have all been tight games. I hope we give the fans something to get behind.

"We have to get on the front foot and attack it as much as we can. If we attack it right we'll give ourselves a chance."

The Hammers welcome back striker Dean Ashton and winger Matthew Etherington after the duo missed the 1-1 draw at Manchester City through injury, but summer signing Julien Faubert is back on the sidelines with a calf problem.