West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has instructed his team to "exploit" the gaps left in Liverpool's play when they go head to head at Upton Park on Saturday.

The Reds were frustrated by Aston Villa last weekend as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield, while the Hammers came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with Hull City on Monday.

Allardyce is also hopeful that Liverpool will be feeling the effects of their midweek 2-1 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League.

"When you get possession there will be gaps and you have to try and exploit those occasions well," Allardyce said in this morning's press conference.

"We have to believe we can do that at one stage or another. We have to be defensively resilient and then when we have possession we have to exploit the gaps they may possibly leave.

"Having played with my team in Europe at Bolton I know how difficult the next Premier League game can be, so if we can seek any advantage from that then great, but Brendan does have a big squad."

West Ham currently sit two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table after four games.