It is clear that there is no cause for panic despite Manuel Pellegrini’s competitive West Ham reign getting off to a poor start with a 4-0 drubbing at Anfield.
Going to the home of the Champions League finalists, with their constant pressing and rapid frontline, is always an incredibly tough ask – the Hammers have conceded four against the Reds in their last four meetings now – especially for a newly-assembled side still adjusting to the demands of a fresh manager.
However, the former Manchester City manager’s first Irons team selections in the league may give away some clues to his more long-term plans.
Pellegrini’s first decision was between two new centre-halves in Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena. With Diop costing more money, some fans might have expected him to get the nod, but Pellegrini opted to go with the greater experience of Balbuena.
Of course – as is the danger with all of these early conclusions – Pellegrini’s decision could have been dictated by fitness coming off the back of pre-season. But managers tend to like getting their back four settled as soon as possible, so it would not be a surprise to see Ogbonna and Balbuena – injuries permitting – first choice for the opening weeks.
As many Hammers fans expected, Declan Rice was pushed forward into midfield for the season’s opener. It was an incredibly tough start to the season for the Irishman in the face of the Reds’ relentless pressing – led by new-boy Naby Keita – and he was substituted at half-time.
Rice’s quality means he is the correct choice in the holding role, but perhaps the balance of midfield needs reassessing, with none of Rice, Mark Noble and Jack Wilshere offering a great deal of energy and mobility in the engine room.
Javier Hernandez’s World Cup exploits may have set back his pre-season preparations, but the early signs are that Marko Arnautovic will continue as the club’s first-choice striker.
The Mexican is a great goalscorer and willing runner, but the unfortunate truth for him is that he is not as comfortable as a lone striker as Arnautovic. On top of that, he is an exceptional option as a super-sub. That all adds up to suggest the former Manchester United man may be set for another season predominantly spent on the bench.
It’s dangerous to draw too many early conclusions – especially from such an unsuccessful afternoon’s work – but Pellegrini may well have offered some hints as to his longer-term plans.
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