It has been pointed out that although West Ham finished ninth they only won five of their 25 matches in all competitions since January. Their single victory in their last eight fixtures was against Luton Town and only they and the other two relegated clubs conceded more than the 74 goals against West Ham last season.

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.