Julen Lopetegui is in desperate need of a pick-me-up at West Ham but things don’t get any easier with Liverpool up next.
Like Liverpool, West Ham had a big decision to make on appointing a new manager in the summer.
The Hammers were actually linked with Arne Slot – and a host of other managers – before appointing Julen Lopetegui to succeed David Moyes.
And Slot would be the man chosen to try and follow in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
It’s fair to say Lopetegui and Slot have made contrasting starts to life at West Ham and Liverpool.
The Reds have won five of their first six games – including beating AC Milan 3-1 and Bournemouth 3-0 ahead of facing West Ham.
The Hammers on the other hand have just one Premier League win and a draw from their first five Premier League games of the season.
Their only other victory came over the Cherries in the Carabao Cup.
That has set up a meeting with Liverpool under the lights at Anfield on Wednesday night.
West Ham were easily beaten 3-0 by Chelsea on Saturday.
West Ham won’t believe announcement for Liverpool
Lopetegui’s tactics and team selections have frustrated West Ham fans already.
The Spaniard is already under pressure with the top source inside the club revealing West Ham’s owners are unimpressed so far.
West Ham were slammed for their passive showing against Chelsea.
The Hammers were also left vulnerable and exposed by Lopetegui’s decision to play a very high line and employ a man-marking strategy.
Play like that against Liverpool and there’s no telling what the score might be.
As if that was not daunting enough, there’s more bad news for West Ham ahead of the game.
West Ham simply won’t believe a big Carabao Cup announcement for Liverpool.
Truly, Madley, deeply concerning for Hammers
Because Andy Madley has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham United’s Carabao Cup third-round trip to Premier League rivals Liverpool on Wednesday night.
If West Ham keep a little black book then Huddersfield-born Madley is one name certain to be in it.
Madley was in charge of that infamous match between West Ham and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two seasons ago.
David Moyes described it as one of the worst performances he’s ever seen from a referee.
A host of pundits also said the decision which defined the match was the worst use of VAR they’d seen yet at the time.
Hammers fans will remember it all too well.
Maxwel Cornet’s West Ham career may have panned out very differently had it not been for Madley’s incompetence.
Cornet bagged a vital last minute equaliser for the Hammers at Chelsea.
But after being sent to the pitch side monitor, Madley ruled out the Ivorian’s strike.
No VAR in place for Hammers’ trip to Anfield
Madley actually allowed the goal to stand in the first place.
But the 41-year-old showed no courage in his convictions, and did not argue the case with the VAR officials – something that Moyes pointed out to the press after the game.
“It’s one [a decision] as bad as I’ve ever had. For a decision to be overturned for that, I just find it incredible,” Moyes told talkSPORT.
“I’m really disappointed VAR would even consider sending the referee to the monitor. The referee then sometimes has to be tough as well. I’ve seen all the angles, I’ve seen all the pictures. The goalkeeper spills the ball, and if anything he then fakes a shoulder injury, which he did for the first goal to be fair. And he conned the referee into that, so there’s nothing we can do.”
There might be glimmer of good news for West Ham at Liverpool, though.
Because there is no VAR for the Carabao Cup third round clash.
That means Madley will have to call it as he sees it.
Although given the game is at Anfield, maybe that won’t work out well for West Ham after all.
Liverpool vs West Ham kicks off at 8pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
West Ham fans should keep a close eye on the weather, though, ahead of the long trip north after they sold out their allocation as always.
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