It looks like a foot in mouth for Julen Lopetegui ahead of West Ham’s big clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
There’s bravery, naivety, arrogance and just plain stupidity.
It seems West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been at least one of those things ahead of the visit of Liverpool.
The Hammers have endured a terrible season under their new manager, in stark contrast to the fortunes of Liverpool under their new boss.
Arne Slot brings the Reds to east London with them top of the Premier League and Champions League at the halfway stage.
Meanwhile West Ham have failed to live up to expectations after an exciting summer window.
Lopetegui’s side are a tough watch and the club’s hierarchy have made it very clear that performances and results simply must improve.
That will take some doing given the Hammers have Liverpool, Man City, Aston Villa twice, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next nine games.
Liverpool will undoubtedly be the biggest team West Ham face, though.
Lopetegui does Slot’s Liverpool team talk for him
West Ham give up more shots at their goal than any other team in the Premier League.
If that continues against Liverpool, things could get very messy, very quickly.
One top Sky Sports expert says Lopetegui has made West Ham the worst team to watch in the top flight.
It’s also been predicted the Hammers will be on the end of a hiding to Liverpool.
West Ham are up against it too because they are without several key players for the match at the London Stadium.
So what they probably don’t need to be doing is giving the visitors any extra motivation and incentive.
Step forward Lopetegui.
The West Ham boss has just done Slot’s Liverpool team talk for him with a very foolish comment.
Despite West Ham’s woeful performances they have somehow strung together a four-game unbeaten run going into the match.
The Irons were lucky to record victories in must-win games against Wolves and Southampton, which sandwiched fortunate draws with Brighton and Bournemouth.
It seems that may have gone to Lopetegui’s head somewhat.
Either that or he is putting on a brave face ahead of the daunting challenge.
Because ahead of the game, Lopetegui has stated West Ham are not afraid of Liverpool.
That’s despite one of the worst teams in Premier League history in the shape of Southampton dominating the Hammers last time out.
Lopetegui was complimentary of the Reds. And in fairness he would leave himself open to criticism if he went into the game with a defeatist attitude.
But as well as making it clear the Hammers ‘aren’t afraid’ of Liverpool, the Spaniard also points out Liverpool are only top ‘right now’ and says he believes his players can get a result.
Lopetegui asking for trouble
“I think with Liverpool we are talking about the best team in the Premier League by far, at the moment,” Lopetegui told West Ham’s website.
“So we know we need to be aware of their threats and be ready, just like we have to be for every game in this division.
“We are not afraid of them, but we do respect them, like all of the teams. They have top players, a very good coach, and they are doing very well at the top of the league right now.
“But we have to believe in our own strengths, and look at what is possible for us to do in the match. We are happy to have these kind of matches at home, because we know the difficulties, but we have great belief in our players.”
It feels like this could just be used to fuel Slot’s team talk.
Laying the gauntlet down to a side like Liverpool is an unwise move.
Especially having already been battered 5-1 by them in the League Cup.
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