Credit: Imago / Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Harri Burton

Sat 28 February 2026 17:10, UK

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Nuno Espirito Santo failed to change a glaring error during the first half of West Ham’s collapse against Liverpool at Anfield.

Travelling West Ham supporters were anything but confident ahead of Saturday, 28 February, and within five minutes, the Hammers were already a goal behind, thanks to Hugo Ekitike.

Within 24 minutes, the Reds had a second, with Virgil van Dijk rising highest at a set-piece to head home. Although Joe Gomez was accused of interfering while offside, VAR allowed the goal to stand.

Van Dijk is one of the most dangerous headers of the ball in the Premier League, so for him to be allowed so much time once was disappointing, but it was not long before it happened again.

Alexis Mac Allister was the beneficiary on this occasion. Still, somehow, Nuno‘s side had been unlocked by such a simple routine, albeit a fine finish in the end from the Liverpool midfielder.

Liverpool continue to benefit from awful West Ham tactics

On more than one occasion, the Hammers were second-best inside their own penalty area, and Steph Houghton could hardly believe her eyes while watching the goal unfold.

Analysing the game on BBC’s Final Score, transcribed by BBC Sport (28 February), Houghton said, “It blows my mind that West Ham haven’t changed who is marking Virgil van Dijk.“

Baffled, she continued: “Liverpool are fully in control of this, but West Ham will be so disappointed.“

It is so obvious that the East London side are battling relegation, and should these problems continue at the London Stadium, Championship football will be calling next season.

• Read more: West Ham agreed to a “surprising” sack clause in Nuno Espirito Santo’s contract.

West Ham’s state of play in the Premier League relegation dogfight

The cost of relegation is looming at the London Stadium, and to put it bluntly, the club cannot afford not to be in the Premier League.

With 10 matches of the season remaining, the Hammers are still two points from safety before Nottingham Forest face Brighton, while Tottenham are up against Fulham.

There is still plenty of football to be played, but with games left against Man City, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle United, it is only going to get edgier.

Nuno can’t afford any more slip-ups, but given how his team are playing, there are likely to be more bumps along the way in the race for Premier League safety.