Julen Lopetegui admits West Ham worry after heavy defeat to Liverpool | OneFootball

Hammers have shipped a huge amount of goals to Premier League’s powerhouses

Julen Lopetegui admitted he is “worrying” about the number of goals West Ham have been conceding against the best teams, following the Hammers' latest heavy defeat.

West Ham lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool on Sunday, conceding at least three goals in a match for the eighth time already this season.

The heavy defeat followed a pattern whereby the Hammers have struggled against England’s traditionally biggest sides this term.

Lopetegui’s team were previously beaten 5-1 by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, as well as heavy Premier League defeats to Chelsea (3-0), Tottenham (4-1) and Arsenal (5-2).

West Ham’s next opponents are Manchester City, who they visit at the Etihad on January 4 in their first match of 2025.

Reminded of his side’s poor defensive record in such games, Lopetegui said: “For sure, we are worried about this — against these kinds of teams, if you start losing early.

“This team is not the first opponent that they were able to overcome like this. I think they have played 15 matches away and have won 15 or 14. But we can and have to do better. We have to accept that today has been a very tough day for all of us. Above all, for our fans too.

“This has been a very disappointing day for us and for our fans. We didn’t deserve more. Today has been a hard loss at home. We have accept it. We have to learn. We have to look forward and to know that we have a lot of things to learn in these types of matches.”

The 58-year-old former Real Madrid head coach added: “We can do better, for sure, despite playing against maybe the best team in world. Despite this, we have to do better.

“We have to compete better in a lot of things, many things. We had 15 or 20 minutes when we were out of the match. They destroyed us in this moment. After this, it was much more difficult for us. We were very far off them today.”