Julen Lopetegui apologises to the West Ham fans after losing 5-0 at home to Liverpool marking yet another low point in the Hammers’ season.
Mohamed Salah scores one and also set up goals for Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota while Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold were also on target.
The result means the Reds go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, while for West Ham, they find themselves 13th.
“We have to do better… today is a bad day”
Julen Lopetegui apologises to the West Ham fans after losing 5-0 at home to Liverpool 👇 pic.twitter.com/aHB5JmyGP1
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Julen Lopetegui on our defeat to Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/94SeZW8NbV
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 29, 2024
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We did not compete as we were thinking to today or as the opponent Liverpool demands. Today has been a tough day for us.”
On if he regrets changing his starting XI: “No. We were thinking about the fact we had played three days ago and also that we had some problems today to make the lineup.
“In the first ten minutes we had the first chance in a very clear situation and after we didn’t score it then it is true they overcame us and had two very clear chances. They scored the first goal but then we have the chance to draw [level] with Kudus which hit the post and then they overcome us again.”
On Bowen’s injury: “I do not know exactly. We will have to assess him and we will know in the coming days.”
Is it unfair to judge the side against the league leaders? “Today we have played against one of the best teams in the world in this current moment, but it is true that we have to do much better.”
Julen, per Sky Sports: “We think we showed not a good face in front of our fans. We didn’t deserve more. Today has been a hard loss at home. We have to accept and move forward and know we have a lot of things to improve in these kind of matches.
“In the first 10 minutes we had one clear situation [when Lucas Paqueta slipped while in on goal] and after we have the possibility to draw [level at 1-1] with Kudus [when he hit a post] but despite this we have to do better for sure. We have to do better in these kind of matches.
“We have to compete better in a lot of things. We had 15-20 minutes when we were out of the match and they destroyed us in these moments. We can do better. We have been very far off them today. We were doing well in the last month but today has been tough for us.”
West Ham fans stream out of stadium early as Liverpool run riot! pic.twitter.com/32dvGbQHV8
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) December 29, 2024
Not many left in here pic.twitter.com/JthQxFEQIx
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) December 29, 2024
“It’s tough times but you’ve got to hang in there as a manager”
Jamie Redknapp says West Ham are ‘off it’ 📉 pic.twitter.com/0DkhkjwcCR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Yeah [lots of goals] but loads of chances as well. It was 3-0 at half time but soon after that we could have scored three.
“On the other side it was good that not every chance that they had went in, they had two or three, one hit the post and one hit the bar. Against Leicester they had one chance and scored. We were a bit unlucky that we did not score in the first few minutes but as well we were lucky that at 1-0 Kudus hit the post.
“[Clean sheets] are one of the reasons why you win a lot. If everytime you have to score two, three or four goals it is difficult, at the moment we do but it is not sustainable for a longer period of time. Sometimes you need a win by keeping a clean sheet and scoring one or two.
“At the end we did not need our clean sheet but it is always good for the confidence of the back line and goalkeepers.
“If a player makes a sprint then asks to go out we know it is a hamstring and it will not take one or two days to fix. The positive thing was that Joe [Gomez]’s replacement Jarrell Quansah played an amazing game. That shows how important the squad is.
On losing just one game in 2024: “Compliments to Nottingham Forest. They were the one.”
Liverpool forward Mo Salah, speaking to Sky Sports: “I am glad for the result. To score the goal early and we dominated the game very well.”
On Luis Diaz’s opening goal: “Luis [Diaz] was screaming and I knew that I was offside I had to run towards the goalkeeper – clever play.
“The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that.
“I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There is a few other teams catching up with us and we need to stay focused and humble and go again.
“I am just trying to enjoy the game. At the end of the day I came here for the result and I wanted to do something in the game, but I am almost hungry for more.”
On contract talks: “No we are far away from that and I don’t want to put anything in the media.”
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Today it was a good performance from our side again and we managed to score a few goals. Good match.
“It is a lot of goals [17 in last four away games for Liverpool]. We work a lot on trying to create chances and score goals. Today we could maybe have scored some more but we are working hard to do that.
“We said before the game we wanted to do everything to keep the clean sheet. We did that really well at the start of the season but in recent weeks we have conceded some goals. Hopefully from this point on we can go back to the clean sheets.
On Mohammed Salah’s assist for his goal: “Maybe it was a bit of skill, maybe it was a bit of luck, I don’t know. But he got the ball to me and I tapped it in.”
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Julen Lopetegui apologises to the West Ham fans after losing 5-0 at home to Liverpool…
@darrelpartridge: We have been patient! Time for a change.
@StuartDillon1: Enough is enough, results might have picked up but performances haven’t, this result was inevitable, we’re conceding so much chances per game it’s farcical. Sadly Sullivan doesn’t care unless we’re in the relegation zone.
@aaronhinton: Unless he’s said he resigns then I’m not going to watch it
@JoshuaHearne: Should have been out of a job weeks ago. Sullivan only delaying the inevitable. It’s an utter shambles of a club currently – he will not turn this around. We are such a poor team.
@IJHitman: The Board need to make a decision. In or out. Come out and say it. If you can’t commit to JLO for a full season, get rid now. If you can, resign/sell up and let someone take us forward.
@selldit: Sorry gaffer, the technical director has let you down in midfield. Unfortunately you will be the scapegoat for this.
@NWLondonHammer: You didn’t do your job well enough.
@cabbiekelv: CHARLATAN plain and simple imo, but we all know sullivan and brady are not going to sack him anytime soon don’t we
@neilorange63: He has to go…and the sooner the better… out of his depth without inflatable water wings…⚒️
@WiffenPaul: No fight, no pattern to the play and slow, dull football. It’s a matter of time before he goes. I feel sorry for Bowen having to lead that lot.
@justin_finch: Not good enough. We lack any desire, enthusiasm and belief that we can win against the big teams. This is been happening all season except for the Ipswich home game. Absolute shocking performance. The players and manager should be ashamed. It’s beyond embarrassing now.
@Jowhua66: It’s not working, it’s clear to see. Hold your hands up and admit you chose the wrong man and give a new manager January to get a couple of his own players in. These results are predictable and embarassing and the whole thing stinks. Change it.
@frankum86:
Time to do the right thing
Rather have a less signing in January to get the right manager in
Becoming a real laughing stock in the prem this season.
No identity
Nothing to get excited for
Not 1 decent performance all season barring Newcastle
@WestHamJoshV: People saying it was a free hit against Liverpool. Doesn’t change the fact that West Ham are a poor footballing team irrespective of opposition. Premier League Vs Sunday League yet again.
