And with the Hammers already missing Freddie Kanoute they find themselves a little short on attacking options going into the match, with Di Canio unwilling to risk his fitness by playing through the pain barrier.
He said: "The specialists say I need three to four days rest.
"The doctors advised West Ham not to risk playing me at Anfield because I could make it worse and then I'd end up being out of the team for two weeks or maybe something even worse.
"With Freddie Kanoute now ruled out until the end of November the club can't afford to lose any more of their strikers, especially with vital matches against Leeds, Oldham and Manchester United coming up.
"Everyone felt that it would be better for me to sacrifice this one game, so that the problem clears up - so that's what I'm doing."