Four points from their opening five league games and hurled rather than knocked out of the Carabao Cup, 5-1 by Liverpool on Wednesday, the tenure of Julen Lopetegui has started miserably and left plenty of supporters pessimistic about their club’s long-term direction.

Summer signing Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez have not yet gelled as a midfield partnership. Their lack of pace was exploited in the last two games. A possible solution could be playing Carlos Soler, the season-long loan signing from Paris Saint-Germain, alongside Alvarez.

Federico Chiesa has had to show patience since arriving at Liverpool but the Italy winger made up for lost time under the lights at Anfield. One month after becoming Arne Slot's first signing, Chiesa was handed his first start against West Ham in the EFL Cup.