West Ham United

Julen Lopetegui has made an inauspicious start at West Ham United since succeeding David Moyes and now faces an important clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Carabao Cup third round may not rank highest on Lopetegui's list of priorities but a win at Anfield would ease some early nerves starting to swirl around east London.

Moyes' time at West Ham had come to a natural conclusion despite the Scot's fine work, which delivered long-awaited success in the Europa Conference League in 2023.

Lopetegui already has the unwanted distinction of being the first head coach in West Ham's history to suffer three straight losses at home at the start of the season.

West Ham were jeered off by supporters after they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Chelsea on Saturday and they were only rescued by Danny Ings' 95th minute equaliser after being largely outplayed at Fulham in their previous game.

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen delivered a brutally realistic assessment of the Chelsea game when he said they made it "easy" for Enzo Maresca's team.

And supporters hoping that Moyes' pragmatic style that frustrated some would be replaced by a thrill ride under Lopetegui have so far been disappointed - although they should not be surprised because that has never been the Spaniard's style.

Of course, it is very early to make any long-term prognosis on West Ham and Lopetegui will be given time but a win at Liverpool, traditionally such a tough assignment, would lead to an instant and significant change of mood.

West Ham spent big, around £120m, to support Lopetegui in the summer but signings are still settling in. French defender Jean-Clair Todibo may start at Anfield but striker Niclas Fullkrug has been missing after being injured on international duty with Germany.

The club showed their ambition in the markets, which almost inevitably reduces patience among supporters if good results do not come, but an advance into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup will carry the air of a statement from Lopetegui, a signal that he has the job in hand.

The competition may not mean quite as much as others to the Premier League's big hitters but it could play a vital role in kick-starting Lopetegui's reign and West Ham's season.

Image source, PA Media

Former West Ham winger Matt Jarvis, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the Hammers' inconsistent start to the Premier League season:

"The Chelsea defeat wasn't a great game. It's more that everyone is expecting this big change, it's going to be great football and it's going to be this and that, and it just wasn't. It was a worrying game.

"They have had a fantastic transfer window, it just needs time to get everyone firing now.

"Julen Lopetegui is definitely going to have the backing of the team because a lot of them are new and some of them have not been there that long. He's got exceptional players in there, it's just about trying to get everyone playing in the correct position and the correct style.

"He's already said he's got Todibo and Soler - that it's going to take time for them to settle in, which isn't great because they are big players who need to come in and make this team better."

Listen to live commentary of Liverpool v West Ham in the Carabao Cup third round on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST

James Jones
Fan writer

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West Ham travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night and everyone's expecting it to be a white wash.

For good reason, too.

Every single season, Liverpool away is pretty much the only fixture I write off as a loss straight away. That's because West Ham have won once at Anfield in 61 years and have only come away from Anfield as victors four times in the club's entire history. That's four wins in 72 attempts. A win percentage of just 6%. On top of that, the Hammers have beaten Liverpool just once in their last 17 meetings in all competitions.

Last season, at the quarter-final stage of the same competition, Liverpool thrashed us 5-1 at Anfield. It was the defeat that arguably kicked off fans' calls for David Moyes to leave the club, due to lack of effort to even try and cause the Reds problems in what was a potential opportunity to reach the semi-final against a heavily rotated Reds.

This time, there's less at stake other than the need to improve on recent performances. Julen Lopetegui is yet to get his team firing and working to the style and system he prefers, with just one win from his first six games as manager.

If we go out as expected then it'll be one less distraction in what is a big transitional season for the club. However, on the other hand, a good cup run could be exactly what Lopetegui needs to instil some confidence in him and the players for the fanbase.

But the main frustration is the third round draw was set up to give the clubs playing in Europe an advantage. It was dressed up as a way to avoid clashes with Champions League and Europa league fixtures by, ensuring those clubs couldn't be drawn against each other, with most of them guaranteed a home draw, too.

As if these clubs needed more of an advantage in a competition that has been won by one of the so called 'big six' in 18 of the last 20 seasons?

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Liverpool (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are "no new injuries," Niclas Fullkrug "is better" after missing the past two games and Lopetegui is hoping they "will have all the squad ready" for Anfield trip.

• He is under no illusions about the difficult task his side face: "Big challenge for sure - we are going to be playing against the current champions of the competition and we are at Anfield. [There is] big ambition and big expectation."

• He added: "Liverpool are a big team around the world. [Arne Slot] is a very good coach. He's showing that he's trying to continue the work from the last years and making it his style - I think they are doing very well."

• Lopetegui said the Hammers will "face all the competitions with the intention to be able to go as far as possible."

• The Hammers boss will shuffle his squad for the cup tie, confirming goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski will start: "For sure, there are going to be changes. We will be balanced, and put one team that can compete. But, always thinking that after we will talk about Brentford. All the players are ready to play and have the possibility to show themselves."

• Guido Rodriguez was substituted before half-time against Chelsea and Lopetegui said the reasons behind it were "very simple": "When you change one player before half time, you think you need to change something. I explained to the players that it's not about going against one player, it's about going against my first decision and we have to accept this. I don't like to do this. He's an experienced player and he understands."

• The Hammers remain "a team under construction" due to the fact they "have a lot of new players [and] players who have never played in the Premier League. They have to adapt as soon as possible."

Follow all of Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football stories

Full commentary from Anfield on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST on Wednesday

West Ham had more possession, more shots, more shots on target and more touches in the opposition box than Chelsea on Saturday.

However, xG shows that the quality of chances was key to the final outcome - a 3-0 win for the visitors.

The chances West Ham created were of a lower quality, hence their xG number of less than one, while the chances they gave up to the Blues were very good.

Statistics collated by BBC Sport statistician Chris Collinson

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after West Ham's heavy defeat by Chelsea in Saturday's Premier League match.

Here are some of your comments:

Matthew: Where do I begin? No effort; no desire; not tactically right; no formation; defence is shaky; losing tackles; not running back; passing is poor and way too slow for a rapid Chelsea team. Players that start are either out of form or too old and we have absolutely no end product. From what I’ve seen so far, sacking David Moyes seems to be a massive mistake.

Bob: I thought that Moyes was removed because he wasn't attacking enough in his tactics. I saw nothing here that shows West Ham have the slightest idea tactically how to perform - except badly. We cannot keep going through games without understanding that to win you need to stop the goals against while striving to score yourself.

Andy: Poorly set up. None of the new signings played at all well. We don’t look a team. Everyone going on about how good our window was are delusional. We needed a young quality striker. Very unimpressed with the new manager and our signings.

Tom: MBBC= Moyes back before Christmas.

Graham: An abject performance - no pressing to win back possession, no effort when in possession and no creativity. Only Mohammed Kudus emerged with any credit but that was for his solo efforts with no support. After all the money that's been spent, we should be seeing something more than this - it was more like watching a school team play.

Joe: Bad performance where we let the occasion of a London derby get to us as a team. Even if we were given that penalty claim, we had no way back into the game after letting in more soft goals. Looks like we need "more time for the team to gel together" every week we play. Expectations for this season are getting lower for me the more I watch us play.

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui must "take some responsibility" for the way his side were set up in their 3-0 defeat by Chelsea.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Murphy said: "He has to take some responsibility for this performance. He didn't just change their system and go to three or five at the back - it was the man-to-man marking of Nicolas Jackson that was the problem.

"It was really strange and we don't see it very often. Their midfielder Edson Alvarez dropped in to play within the back three. He has got many qualities, but pace isn't one of them. It was non-stop in the first half.

"To man-to-man mark someone is difficult but, when you don't have the same physicality and pace, you need help. Alvarez wasn't getting any.

"[Konstantinos] Mavropanos and [Max} Kilman didn't come across a lot of the time and it just left so much space. Wan-Bissaka was trying to stick with Jadon Sancho, so he wasn't trying to help. It just carried on for the whole game."

Former Premier League defender Ashley Williams agreed, adding: "We were just bemused watching it. You could see it from minute one - it was so obvious.

"Julen Lopetegui has just assigned the wrong players to the wrong jobs.

"This is his tactics - that man has got to take a little bit of responsibility for this result."

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• Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United

Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

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West Ham might have been 2-0 down at the time but many fans feel they should have been handed a way back into the game in the first half.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana seemed to grab hold of Crysencio Summerville inside the penalty area, and the Hammers debutant went to ground.

Referee Samuel Barrott declined to point to the spot - much to the ire of the London Stadium - but the incident was checked by the VAR team.

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre X account said in a post that the incident between Fofana and Summerville did constitute "sustained holding".

When is holding alone not enough for the officials to award a penalty?

Former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole disagreed with both Barrott and VAR with his assessment on TNT Sports when asked about the incident.

"I think it's a penalty. He's got hold of him, he's got the wrong side of him," Cole said.

"If you put your hands on someone in the box it's a penalty. Ultimately the referee is the professional and he's got the best view in the house. But I can really feel for West Ham."

Had the Hammers gone into half-time 2-1 down then the outcome to the contest might well have been different.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat: "It's a bad day, for sure. We lost one match that we had big expectations to compete much better [in].

"They have been soft goals that we have suffered [from]. Before the first goal, we had a clear chance with [Mohammed] Kudus but after we have to be more consistent and we cannot accept this action.

"To compete in the Premier League, you have to be more consistent. We had more of the ball than them, but the only stat that is important is that they scored more goals.

"The third goal was key and, at half-time, we were thinking one goal would be key for us to believe. It is true - we suffered early on in the second half."

On three successive home defeats in the league: "There is no excuse. In all of them, we can be more consistent. We have to be honest and know that we need to improve - this group and players will improve.

"The only thing we have to say to the fans is thank you. We have to give them things and the only thing you can give is your best."

West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen has been speaking to TNT Sports after the home defeat: "We were never in the game, which is an awful thing to say. The goals that they scored were easy on our part - two gifts.

"You have to be switched on in every moment. On the pitch, it felt quite easy to play through [us]. It was a disappointing day all-round.

"Of course, as a player and captain you have to lead and rally everyone together. We gave them too much respect in the end.

"A disappointing day. We accept the defeat. The game is done - we put it to bed and see what we can improve on.

"The games are coming thick and fast, [so we have] to put it right. We still have a lot of games to go and that is a positive for us."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have started a league campaign with three consecutive home defeats for the first time in the club's history.

The Hammers have conceded five goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League games in 2024, which is at least three more than any other side.

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What did you make of Chelsea’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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• Liverpool v Bournemouth

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West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui says he and Lucas Paqueta "don't talk" about the gambling charges and possible suspension facing the midfielder.

The 27-year-old was charged by the Football Association in May for allegedly getting booked deliberately "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market" and is facing a lengthy ban if found guilty.

Paqueta has struggled to make an impact since Lopetegui took charge of the Hammers following the departure of David Moyes, with his only goal involvement coming via a penalty in their 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa.

The drawn-out nature of the FA's disciplinary process means the Brazil international is likely to be available to play for much of this campaign.

"I'm happy with his behaviour and his commitment," Lopetegui said. "He's working very hard, he's trying to understand what we want. We're trying to help him to be better and better. He's an important player.

"I don't want to put this kind of responsibility on one player. He has to do the best he can about the offensive phase and defensive phase.

"When he is focused on the defensive work he is a much better player and we try to encourage him to always be focused in a defensive way as well as an offensive way.

"We don't talk about [the charges]. We talk about football, about the next match and about life. But not about this."

West Ham host Chelsea on Saturday and are yet to pick up a point at London Stadium having lost to Villa and defending champions Manchester City.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week five, he takes on singer-songwriter and West Ham fan James Smith, whose debut album, Common People, is out now.

First up this weekend is Chelsea's trip to the Hammers.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

This is a very difficult game to call because West Ham have not been playing particularly well and I am not convinced by Chelsea either. They were very fortunate to beat Bournemouth last time out.

I really do not have a clue how this one will go, so I suppose the sensible thing for me to go for is a draw.

Smith's prediction: 2-1

We always do well against Chelsea, especially at home. I don't think they have been amazing so far this season and, although we haven't either, I do reckon we will beat them.

I'd love to say there will be loads of goals but I don't mind what the score is, as long as we win.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Earlier, we asked you for the five players who have scored more than 40 Premier League goals for West Ham.

Michail Antonio is West Ham's leading Premier League goalscorer while Paolo di Canio, Mark Noble, Jarrod Bowen and Carlton Cole have all passed the 40-goal mark for the Hammers in the competition.

Can you name the five players who have scored more than 40 goals for West Ham in the Premier League?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

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West Ham have faced more shots than any other side across the opening four Premier League games this season.

At 18.25, it is the highest number of shots they have faced per game since 2010-11 when they were relegated (18.26).

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The issue around the footballing calendar and the demands being placed on players right now is a difficult one.

First, we need to take into consideration the really high demands on the body that go on all-year round with few breaks, especially for international footballers and those in teams competing on multiple fronts.

I know the men's and the women's games are different, but we got exposed to these issues when we went from amateur to professional. There was a lot of loading, a lot of games and the result of that was a higher risk of injury and we have seen a lot of anterior cruciate ligament injuries now in the women's game.

From the fans' side, their point is often that players get paid a lot of money but I think that is irrelevant. That is just the industry players are in and, if you take out the money, they are still human beings.

The governing bodies need to look at who they consult with about changes in the calendar such as World Cups being held in winter and summers where there is just a couple of weeks off before going straight back into it. The changes and fixtures that are put in are there to generate more money, which makes it difficult. As a business, it is about money.

We talk about mental health a lot and you wonder, where is the time to switch off and have that time away from playing? To have that family time which is a deep human need? At some point mentally, if not physically, it will take its toll.

None of us want to see players striking, but players need to be listened to. What do they need to do to make change happen?

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Newcastle are monitoring 18-year-old Norwegian forward Sindre Walle Egeli, dubbed the next Erling Haaland, with West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Brentford also interested in the £25m-rated teenager. (Daily Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column