West Ham United fans took aim at Sebastien Haller after another poor display last night.
West Ham were winning 2-1 and looking good for a shock result when Haller came on for Felipe Anderson after 65 minutes.
Just three minutes later Mo Salah equalised before Sadio Mane scored the winner in the 81st minute.
The Haller substitution was clearly designed to give West Ham a focal point, someone to hold the ball up and help see out a positive result.
Photo by Daniel Chesterton Offside via Getty Images
£45million Haller fails to impress yet again
Haller helped out defensively from set pieces. But up front he offered very little once again.
In mitigation he was up against the best defender in world football in Virgil van Dijk.
But the £45million striker struggled to get into the game at all as West Ham once again surrendered points from a winning position – now 22 this season alone.
And afterwards some West Ham fans vented their anger at Haller’s display.
A large section of the Hammers faithful have continued to back the big Frenchman despite his poor debut season.
They feel he is being played out of position as a lone striker.
Photo by James Griffiths West Ham United FC via Getty Images
Not suited to lone striker role but should still offer more
At previous clubs Haller excelled as the second striker in a two-man forward line.
But many of those who backed Haller previously turned on the forward after his 25 minute showing at Anfield.
Some highlighted that Michail Antonio is proving a much more effective option up front.
Another said Haller’s failure to challenge Joe Gomez led to Liverpool’s late winner.
Here are a selection of comments from some West Ham fans on Twitter.
Photo by Avril Husband West Ham United FC via Getty Images
Final straw for Haller backers
I must say, I’ve continuously backed Haller before but that 25 minute display was pathetic. No fight in him at all for this relegation scrap, complete waste of a shirt. Antonio twice the striker he is with his work rate, hold-up play and movement. #WHUFC
— ⚒ COYIrons ⚒ (@COYIrons_com) February 24, 2020
The ‘challenge’ Haller put in on Gomez which led to their winner was pathetic. Gomez brushed him aside like he was 12 years old.
— Alan Reynolds ⚒ (@alanreynoldswhu) February 24, 2020
To blame for their 3rd goal, he stopped after sulking not winning ball in the air, he is a waste of space.
— Ebrahim Piperdy (MIRPM AssocRICS MInstLM) (@Ebsy18) February 24, 2020
Guy has the worst ball control I’ve seen, just bounces off him all the time
— Callum Horncastle (@cal_horncastle) February 24, 2020
You can see he’s got it in him but he’s just so lazy 🙈
— JC (@irnbru_pappi) February 24, 2020
Haller was on???
— Douglas Reynholm (@Glen1540Glen) February 25, 2020
‘He needs a serious digging out’
Blokes terrible no effort at all – knocked off the ball way too easily
— Nick Earl (@NickEarl) February 24, 2020
Blimey ‘display’ I wouldn’t even go to that.
— Dean (@DAZ600) February 24, 2020
He was absolutely shocking, no effort
— Andrew P (@ajp0791) February 24, 2020
Third goal came from Haller giving up, he needs a serious digging out!
— martin holt (@holtysbp) February 24, 2020
When he brought Haller on the game was lost. To favour an out of form lazy striker over an in form striker with bundles of ability & confidence is mind boggling . Bowen was only on the pitch a matter of minutes when he was unlucky with the chip that bounced of Allison’s head
— Socialist (@teamalone22) February 25, 2020
Looks like he couldn’t care less – Happy to take his wedge and will be happy to move on at end of season – Personally will be glad to see the back of him – Part of the reason we are where we are
— Dale (@drobe10) February 25, 2020
Yet there are still fans saying he is class and needs more time .Some people just won’t admit they got it wrong .They keep quoting Bundersligh but the Premiership is so different.
— peter (@pnorth30) February 24, 2020