West Ham: Downes under par v Liverpool

To cite the theme tune of well-known sitcom FRIENDS, West Ham have felt like they’ve been “caught in second gear” this season, with the Irons by no means really setting the world alight through the course of the opening few months of 2022/23.

It marks a stark distinction to final time period when David Moyes’ males have been firing on all cylinders. European soccer was the ambition they usually achieved that for an additional yr whereas reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League within the course of.

The duty to qualify once more is a difficult one, although, significantly with the Hammers now sitting in thirteenth on simply 11 factors.

Their new signings haven’t fairly fired however there have been extra encouraging indicators in latest weeks. Certainly, Gianluca Scamacca had scored in consecutive outings earlier than taking over Southampton after which shedding 1-0 to Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Though the Reds have been beneath par this marketing campaign, Anfield was at all times going to be a troublesome place to go, significantly after their revitalising 1-0 triumph in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final Sunday.

Moyes’ aspect might simply have left with a share of the spoils, nonetheless, after Jarrod Bowen noticed a penalty saved excellently by Alisson.

That miss and certainly Scamacca’s anonymity have been massive negatives however there was one optimistic; the efficiency of Flynn Downes.

There have been a number of requires the summer season signing to begin of late and after a run on the continental stage, he was lastly given his first Premier League begin in opposition to Jurgen Klopp’s aspect.

Though he was substituted with 16 minutes nonetheless left to play, it was nonetheless an outstanding efficiency from the 23-year-old who has already earned comparisons to Declan Rice since his arrival.

Downes was in a position to mop up play astutely together with his all-round attributes firmly on present in opposition to among the best sides within the division.

From a defensive perspective, the midfielder made a powerful four ball recoveries, whereas making one headed clearance. Clearly hard-working, the previous Swansea technician performed two passes into the ultimate third as he regarded to place his crew on the entrance foot, whereas he additionally had one shot blocked after discovering room contained in the penalty space.

It felt like Downes, who took 32 touches, was in every single place on what was a “massive night” by way of his West Ham profession – as per journalist Malik Ouzia.

Given a possibility to lastly impress from the off in a top-flight encounter, he evidently grabbed the prospect with each arms and staked his declare for an everyday spot within the beginning XI.

Once they face Bournemouth subsequent Monday, the all-action midfielder merely must be unleashed once more.