Liverpool were left stunned at Anfield today after we were taken apart by a thoroughly professional performance from our visitors, West Ham, who deservedly took all three points home to East London.
Manuel Lanzini gave the Hammers the lead inside three minutes after he got the better of Joe Gomez inside the penalty area, before Mark Noble doubled that advantage after a mistake by Dejan Lovren.
Philippe Coutinho was sent off for a second yellow card shortly after the break and left us with a real mountain to climb, while Brendan Rodgers responded by throwing on Danny Ings and Jordon Ibe later in the second-half.
But despite Noble also receiving his marching orders in controversial circumstances, there was still time for West Ham to complete out humiliation by adding a third in stoppage time – Diafra Sakho the scorer.
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Read the full Liverpool player ratings below:
GK) Simon Mignolet – 5
Was thoroughly exposed by a horrid defensive performance in front of him. He had no chance with any of the goals and will no doubt be hugely frustrated to lose his recent clean sheet record in such comprehensive style.
RB) Nathaniel Clyne – 6
He did his usual work up and down the right-hand side. He’s arguably the one member of the Liverpool defence who can hold his head slightly high. Offered far more than Gomez in an attacking sense and always tracked back.
CB) Martin Skrtel – 5
His poor clearing header eventually led to the first goal. He gave away too many fouls in key areas and his lack of communication with Lovren was, at times, infuriating. It feels like one step forward, two steps back for us here.
CB) Dejan Lovren – 3
Awful. Absolutely awful. And that’s such a shame because in the first three games he was so, so much better than last season, to the point where he was finally winning back the fans. Why are you trying to dribble past players?
LB) Joe Gomez – 5 (Ibe – 77′)
A bad day at the office for the teenager. It’s hard to criticise him too heavily, he’s still learning. But today was not good. He should have done better with the first goal and he struggled when pushing up to join the attacks.
DM) Lucas Leiva – 5
The Brazilian did everything right against Arsenal but today he returned to being the player Rodgers chose to leave out of our first two games. He was overwhelmed in midfield and offered little to try and stem the West Ham tide.
CM) James Milner – 6
The only player on the pitch who showed any fight and desire. The captain put himself about the pitch like a man possessed. Sadly, it was all to no avail, and he just didn’t receive the support that he needed. Bring back Hendo!
CM) Emre Can – 5 (Moreno – 46′)
He found himself tracking back far more than he might have liked during the first-half. He struggled to get on the ball and influence the game as much as he likes to do, but he’ll have been surprised to be taken off when he was.
RAM) Roberto Firmino – 6 (Ings – 61′)
Worked hard in the first-half for little reward. He always worked back and helped out the midfield and there’s certainly plenty about his game to keep the Liverpool fans optimistic. Smashed the post with one great effort.
LAM) Philippe Coutinho – 4
It was a hugely frustrating day for the Brazilian and sadly he simply let those emotions get the better of him. Two avoidable yellow cards, the second within five minutes of the re-start, ended any hopes of a Liverpool comeback.
ST) Christian Benteke – 5
He fought hard for every ball that came his way and his movement was fine – there just wasn’t enough support in and around him. We all know that he’s not Suarez, he won’t win games on his own, he needs players up with him.
Subs:
1) Alberto Moreno – 5 – Brought on to play in a wing-back role, a plan instantly ruined by the red card.
2) Danny Ings – 6 – Put himself about but had little in the way of service.
3) Jordon Ibe – 5 – Not enough time to make an impact.
