Grading the Hammers after a Sound Defeat to Liverpool at Anfield

The double groin shots suffered by Jack Wilshire and Mark Noble in the second half off of a Liverpool set piece about sums up West Ham’s opening season trip to Anfield, going down 4-0 to the Reds.

Manuel Pellegrini got the team selection right in my estimation; using Declan Rice as DM and record-breaking signing Filip Anderson along the left wing. Arthur Masuaku was used as LB because Aaron Cresswell was not fit and if it weren’t for Fabianski in goal, things could’ve been much worse for West Ham, and that’s saying something.

There were times when the Hammers were completely overrun, and times, mostly in the second half, where things looked better.  This was after the introduction of Robert Snodgrass, as a defacto number 10 behind Arnotovic, in for Rice which moved Wilshere into a deeper position on the pitch.

Grades (/10):

Fabianski– 6.  He had at least three key saves and had no chance really at any of Liverpool’s goals. It could’ve been worse without him between the sticks; or could it? Both meetings with Liverpool last year ended 4-1.

Masuaku-5. Pretty good as a true LB defending, but was missing his impact and skill level in the final third. Where were the nifty tricks to create openings?

Ogbonna-4. When you ship 4 goals your CBs have to take some of the blame. I thought he was just ok.

Balbuena – 4. See above. But in reality, an argument could be made that he, and Fredericks, were the best of the new signings today. Strong header off a West Ham corner forced a save from Alisson.

Fredericks– 5. Good pace as advertised carried the ball down the flank; had a couple nice one-twos in the second half with Snodgrass and Yarmelenko that resulted in not much.

Rice (45′) – 4. Many Hammers supporters thought our DM midfielder woes would be solved with the youngster playing that role. While not terrible today, he wasn’t a factor and the team seemed to play better, relatively speaking, after he went off and Wilshire dropped back

Noble-4.  It was a Noble-like performance; solid, slow, unspectacular. Not sure he was in the right spot in midfield that seemed to ebb and flow during the game.

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Wilshere-4.  Did not take a bite out of the game until the second half when he was in a deeper role. Seemed to grow into the game from there but his drawn penalties and ball movement were too little too late. Expect and need more moving from him.

Anderson (62′)-3. I think Anderson discovered this isn’t Serie A. Way too soft on the ball, way too easy to muscle off of it, and way too eager to embellish. I would argue this could’ve been our first sub off.

Antonio-5. Strength and pace were evident at times going forward but he hasn’t seemed to have enough gas in the tank to go 60, let alone the full 90 in months. Tracking back wasn’t good enough, as we’ve come to learn when he wasn’t in the frame on two of the Liverpool goals.

Arnautovic (67′)- 5. Not enough support for the lone striker; not enough service, not enough touches. Not his fault.  One long ball from Ogbanna was controlled but alas, at a bad angle in the box that ultimately went wide.

Subs Used:

Snodgrass (45′) – 6. Thought he made an impact playing right behind Arnie when brought on for Rice. I can make a case he should be in the starting 11 this Saturday in place of either Antonio or Anderson.

Chicharito (62′) -3. Did he play? Scoresheet said he was on for Anderson. I remember one attempt at hold up play, otherwise as we see when he plays alone up top or doesn’t score–no impact.

Yarmalenko (67′)- 5. Nifty skill was on display when he came on as right wing. Never really amounted to much but seemed to work well with both Fredericks and Snodgrass in the final third. Another one you could make the case should see the starting 11 next week.