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An opening fixture at Anfield was hardly a barometer to judge early progress but Hammers have lost more top flight games against Liverpool than any other side and despite spending around £100m on new recruits this was always going to be a difficult match. Pellegrini used five of his new players Fabianski, Ryan Fredericks, Balbuena, Felipe Anderson and Jack Wilshere from the start, Wilshere was isolated in attack, failing to touch the ball in the Liverpool penalty area, and Anderson was withdrawn in the second half after running out of puff.

Liverpool FC: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson, Keita, Milner, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino Subs: Karius, Clyne, Fabinho, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Shaqiri
West Ham Utd: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Rice, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Noble, Wilshere, Anderson, Arnautovic, Antonio Subs: Adrian, Zabaleta, Snodgrass, Obiang, Hernandez, Yarmolenko, Diop

The time for pontificating is over as the new season begins for 'new look' West Ham with a tricky opening fixture against Liverpool at what will be a 'pumped up' Anfield Stadium. The Pool are one of the few teams to have spent more money during the transfer window than the Hammers, they've pushed the boat out for a replacement keeper and centre back, the only fly in their ointment is the amount of players who have only recently returned to training due to the presence of so many of their players at The World Cup in Russia.