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.

Not just at Liverpool, but also at West Ham. David Moyes qualified for Europe regularly, had a series of victories against their supposed superiors and won a trophy. He also lost 5-1 at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.