New Liverpool boss Arne Slot already has a reputation as a man who doesn’t mince his words and now he’s discussed West Ham.
West Ham come up against Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot for the first time on Wednesday night.
The Hammers travel to Anfield to face the Reds under the lights in the Carabao Cup.
Both West Ham and Liverpool are under new managers in Julen Lopetegui and Slot.
They have had contrasting starts with Lopetegui enduring early struggles while Slot has won five of the six games in charge so far.
Nottingham Forest gave West Ham some hope by beating Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League two weekends ago.
The problem is Slot’s side have bounced back to beat Milan and Bournemouth, scoring six goals in the process.
Liverpool boss Slot sends clear message to West Ham owners
Ironically Slot was a reported target for West Ham before the club eventually settled on Lopetegui.
But things have not worked out so far for the Spaniard, with the dismal 3-0 by London rivals Chelsea creating some unwelcome history.
It is the first time the Hammers have ever started a league campaign with three losses on home turf in their entire 129-year history.
After the club committed £155m to sign nine players in the summer, Lopetegui’s start has not impressed West Ham’s owners.
Now straight-talking Liverpool boss Arne Slot has sent a clear message to West Ham’s owners about Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten.
Slot speaks on Lopetegui and Steidten amid Hammers pressure
According to a journalist close to the club’s hierarchy, both Lopetegui and Tim Steidten are ‘already under massive pressure’.
It is claimed that questions are also being asked of Steidten over some of West Ham’s transfer dealings.
Since arriving at Liverpool, Slot has already earned a reputation of being forthright in his views on all things, including other clubs and their managers.
The Liverpool boss famously picked apart Man United’s tactics after a win at Old Trafford.
Now he has spoken about Lopetegui and the squad Steidten has assembled in his pre-match press conference.
The Dutchman suggests West Ham should not do anything hasty over Lopetegui or Steidten.
Because he feels the Hammers have had a tough start and been unlucky.
Slot rates Lopetegui and believes West Ham will get better with time as they have assembled ‘a lot of good players’.
Slot: ‘West Ham will come back stronger’
“(It was a) tough start (for West Ham) as well, they faced some strong opponents,” Slot said, as reported on Liverpool’s website.
“I saw during their games that they have very good spells as well, sometimes were a bit unlucky with the result. A lot of good players, brought in a lot of players in the summer window that haven’t been implemented yet but maybe there is a chance for them tomorrow to start.
“They will come back stronger because of all the quality they already had last season and which they brought in. They have a good manager as well. Hopefully it’s going to take them a few days extra! But they will come back stronger than they have started the season.”
While West Ham’s players also have to shoulder some of the blame for their passive performance against Chelsea, the new head coach has held his hands up.
Lopetegui’s strange tactics were brutally exposed by Chelsea.
And it has been noted West Ham have ridden their luck in their other games too – including the cup win over Bournemouth which set up the tie at Liverpool.
What Lopetegui needs is a big result to light a fire under his tenure.
Somehow pulling off a rare win over Liverpool at Anfield would be just the tonic.
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