Alan Shearer makes new West Ham relegation prediction after Liverpool defeat
Alan Shearer believes that West Ham United are destined for relegation unless they improve their defensive record.
The Hammers remain two points adrift of safety after suffering a 5-2 defeat away at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
First-half goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister gave the hosts a commanding lead at the break, but Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers hope just after the interval.
However, Cody Gakpo’s deflected strike and Axel Disasi’s own goal, either side of a Taty Castellanos consolation, ensured that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side left Anfield empty-handed.
West Ham must address key issue to stay up
West Ham seemed to rediscover some form in the Premier League around mid-January, boosting themselves towards safety, but defeat against Liverpool brings them back down to earth.
With both Nottingham Forest and Tottenham losing on Sunday, the Hammers didn’t lose ground in the survival race over the weekend, but time is now running out.
There are only 10 games remaining in the Premier League this season, and Nuno’s side are still firmly in the drop zone.
Former Newcastle United striker Shearer believes that West Ham will be relegated unless they address their current defensive woes.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, the ex-England international added that the East London side have a difficult run of fixtures between now and the end of the campaign.
Shearer said: “Unless they stop conceding crazy goals, no (they won’t stay up). In general play, I thought they did alright (against Liverpool), but defensively, they just look really weak.
“Unless that improves, they are not going to get out of it, no. I’ve looked at their fixture list as well, and they probably have the toughest run.”
Who do West Ham have left to play?
As Shearer mentioned, the Hammers will have to navigate a difficult run of fixtures over the next two months.
In their remaining ten games, West Ham face six of the current top nine, including the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
At this stage of the season though, every single match is important for Nuno’s side, and they will have to take points off the top teams in order to stay up.
Survival is still on the table for the East London outfit, but it will require a number of big results before the end of the campaign.
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