Stuart Pearce makes ‘Incredible’ West Ham admission v Liverpool
West Ham United were so open that it was “incredible” Liverpool didn’t score more goals in their win at the London Stadium on Sunday, Stuart Pearce has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (30 December, 9:13am), Pearce was taken aback by just how loose the Irons were in the 5-0 defeat, praising Alphonse Areola for preventing an even greater scoreline on 29 December.
Liverpool ran riot as the Hammers played right into their hands, and Pearce argued that their failure to close down Mohamed Salah will leave their next opponents – Manchester City – confident of a victory.
Pearce said: “Areola played extremely well to keep the score as it was – they were so loose at the back, it was incredible. They’ll be disappointed with the goals they’ve shipped.
“You look at the squad and think it’s a strong squad at West Ham. They’ve got Man City away in their next game, which will be a tough one.
“(Salah) scared the life out of them. You’ve got to double up on him, you know how good he is – he’s incredible at the moment.”
West Ham back to the drawing board after Liverpool defeat
Ahead of facing Liverpool on Sunday, Julen Lopetegui’s side had been on a four-match unbeaten streak which was the best of his tenure, including wins over Wolves and Southampton the game prior.
After their five-goal demolition at the London Stadium though, any progress made during that run has been shattered to oblivion, with the Hammers second-best to Liverpool in every single department.
Liverpool’s eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table is no fluke, but given Lopetegui set up with a back five and Edson Alvarez sitting deep in midfield, they were cut to ribbons far too easily.
Facing an out-of-sorts Manchester City side – albeit one which beat Leicester last time out – does provide the opportunity for an immediate response, but fans will be fearing another cricket score.
Who knows how many Liverpool would have netted if not for Areola between the sticks, with the defending champions up next, the pressure on Lopetegui is starting to ramp up again.
In other West Ham news, the Irons and a free-scoring Championship striker’s agent are already in talks over a January transfer.
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