West Ham United were comprehensively beaten by Liverpool on Wednesday night in the League Cup, suffering a 5-1 thrashing that left the Hammers looking distinctly out of their depth.
Under the guidance of new manager Julen Lopetegui, West Ham have endured a difficult start to the season, and this humbling defeat has only compounded their struggles.
Despite a summer of significant investment, they now sit 14th in the Premier League and must reflect on a performance that exposed serious deficiencies.
Liverpool, coached by Arne Slot, were dominant from the start, tearing through West Ham’s defence with ease.
The scoreline reflected the gulf in quality between the two sides, and West Ham’s efforts, or lack thereof, left fans and pundits alike questioning the club’s direction under Lopetegui.
Three West Ham players stood out for all the wrong reasons on the night. The first of these was veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who conceded five goals and looked far from his best.
Once regarded as one of the Premier League’s most reliable shot-stoppers, Fabianski’s performance on Wednesday raised serious concerns about his ability to compete at the highest level.
Over the last decade, Fabianski built a reputation as a steady pair of hands, consistently saving over 70 percent of shots in six consecutive seasons.
Now, Fabianski is looking at a second straight season with a 66 percent save percentage, and he hit a new low on Wednesday night against Liverpool, moving around like exactly you’d picture a washed-up, 39-year-old goalkeeper would.
His movements were laboured, and he struggled to command his box. For those still arguing that Fabianski is on par with Alphonse Areola, this performance should have been the final nail in the coffin.
At the other end of the age spectrum is Jean-Clair Todibo, a 24-year-old centre-back with a high pedigree and lofty expectations.
Having arrived at West Ham on loan from Nice, Todibo was seen as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in Europe, having excelled in Ligue 1.
He even turned down Juventus to join West Ham, eager to prove himself in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, Todibo endured a torrid evening against Liverpool. The French defender was all at sea, completely failing to contain Liverpool’s relentless attack.
His usually assured passing was off, and defensively he was overrun, often looking unsure of his positioning and responsibilities.
It was a performance far removed from the composed displays he had been known for in France. West Ham will be hoping this was merely a blip, as they can ill afford further defensive lapses.
Midfielder Edson Alvarez was another major disappointment. Although Alvarez is primarily known for his defensive abilities rather than his playmaking, his distribution against Liverpool was woeful.
Completing fewer than 80 percent of his passes, Alvarez consistently turned over possession, often under no real pressure, gifting the ball back to Liverpool.
For a player tasked with shielding the defence, such carelessness is unforgivable, and Alvarez will need to significantly improve if he wants to retain his place in the starting eleven.
To make matters worse, Alvarez compounded his poor night by getting himself sent off after picking up two yellow cards.
His reckless challenge on a yellow was the kind of mistake you might expect from a raw youth player, not a seasoned 26-year-old with international experience.
With West Ham struggling for form, his absence will be felt in their upcoming fixtures, and it remains to be seen how long Lopetegui can tolerate such indiscipline.
This was a sobering night for West Ham and one that raises serious questions about their prospects this season.