Plenty of Blame to go around on “A Day for Being Angry” - Player Ratings by Joel Tracy

Seeking to build upon successive victories, and aiming to close the gap between themselves and the coveted fourth place, Liverpool delivered an abject performance at Upton Park. The visitors were outmuscled and outworked, their dominance of possession rendered useless by a lack of creativity, movement and precision at the attacking end, while defence and midfield were far too accommodating in the hosts’ predictable route of attack.

It was always going to be a challenging fixture given the growing injury list and the short period of rest - it's certainly not quite as straightforward as playing bingo at bestbingosites.co.uk - but the manner in which the Reds capitulated must certainly have Jurgen Klopp rethinking his professed intentions for a quiet January transfer window. With or without the benefit of reinforcements, Liverpool will need to improve greatly, or risk seeing their chances of a Top Four place-and their hopes of the club’s first silverware in nearly four years-fade away in a busy month.

Simon Mignolet (7): The Belgian could do little about either goal, though he was bamboozled by Lanzini’s swerving effort early on. Was otherwise solid, including a very good double save to deny Carroll and then Antonio late, as well as a strong parry from Kouyate in the dying moments.

Nathaniel Clyne (5): An uncharacteristically poor outing from a typically consistent performer. Lost track of the surging Antonio for the opener, and while he was left exposed against Carroll for the second his aerial deficiencies are clear for all to see. Was caught upfield more than once and looked shaky in possession, although in fairness, he’s probably due a rest.

Dejan Lovren (6): Looked assured in the first half, making a series of strong interventions in the air and on the ground, and sparking the attack with an interception and surge into midfield. His composure in possession is a far cry from the skittish player of last season, but made a costly mistake in allowing Carroll a free run at goal for West Ham’s second.

Mamadou Sakho (5): Stood up well, on the most part, to the challenge of Carroll up front, and made an important intervention on the half hour mark, sliding over to cover the oft-vacated space to his left. Still appears a bit off the pace-in terms of both movement and possession-since returning from a knee injury.

Alberto Moreno (5): Was too often caught upfield with little attacking output to show for it, most notably when he stayed down in West Ham’s end, appealing for a free kick that, while perhaps deserved, was clearly not forthcoming. The offending party, Antonio, took advantage of the Spaniard’s negligence to race down Liverpool’s left flank, eventually heading in the opener. Made a measure of amends with a sliding block in the 20th minute, but was hauled off in favour of Smith’s crossing ability-although not before another cross from his flank helped double the hosts’ lead.

Emre Can (7): Earns perhaps an extra half-mark for looking like the only player in a white shirt to show up throughout. Reprised Jordan Henderson’s patented “one man running for two” routine in midfield, although he could have done better to cover for his fullbacks, notably in the buildup to the opener. Produced a fine ball for Benteke on the hour mark, was denied by the crossbar on a placed effort at the end of the first half, and his nod-on to Lucas nearly produced a goal, but the German was also wasteful at times.

Lucas Leiva (4): Enjoyed somewhat of a mini-Renaissance earlier under Klopp, but looked well off the pace in this one. Gifted West Ham a chance early on with a poor ball, deflected by Noble and stood off Valencia to allow the uncontested cross to find its target for West Ham’s first. Appeared a step slow, both in and out of possession throughout, although he was unlucky not to register an exceedingly rare goal, kept out by Noble’s intervention at the far post.

Jordon Ibe (5): A bright run and shot nearly opened the scoring inside five minutes, but it would prove to be his most significant contribution on the day. Was involved in some of Liverpool’s brightest (relatively speaking) linkup in the first half, at times combining sharp runs with simple, effective passing. Vanished for much of the second half. With a chance to seize a starting berth from the disappointing Lallana (and with fresher legs than just about anyone in the team), one might have hoped for a bit more work rate from the youngster.

Roberto Firmino (5): Largely anonymous throughout, outside of a nice throughball to Benteke on 25 minutes. Offered a rare moment of comic relief, admirably throwing his body into what was presumably intended to be a physical challenge after conceding possession in a dangerous area just before halftime. Might be better suited for a wide forward role on the left.

Philippe Coutinho (4): Continues to launch speculative efforts with the reckless abandon (not to mention the success rate) of a sloppy, lovesick drunkard at last call. Must surely be frustrated with the lack of movement in front of and around him, but his selfish displays are surely as harmful to the team spirit as they are to the scoreline. Did produce a fine cross late on, wasted off the head of Allen. Should be restored to a central attacking role, where his creative talents-if properly directed-should help to ignite the misfiring talent around him.

Christian Benteke (4): Appeared set to build upon some decent linkup play from the second half against Sunderland when he dropped deep to circulate the ball in the opening minute, but from there on he cut a static figure. Delivery continued to be largely poor, but he provided neither the movement nor the desire to get on the end of crosses, kept tamely in check by the efforts of James Collins. Presented with a number of half-chances after the interval and unlike his previous two outings, failed to produce a goal to salvage a lackluster performance.

Substitutes:

Adam Lallana 61’ (6): Produced a couple nice deliveries from set plays, but twice gave the ball away too easily.

Brad Smith 61’ (7): Showcased his pace and crossing ability on the left. Should see more action amidst a crowded fixture list.

Allen 81’ (5): More comfortable closing out a match than chasing one, the Welshman once again offered little in attack, firing wide off a free header in the box. Worth asking, however, whether the Reds might have fared better with him starting in Lucas’ place.

Joel Tracy

@RambleOnReds