THEY say the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” – not to David Moyes.
The Scotsman could only help but fall to his knees as his West Ham team squandered another opportunity to take points off a Big Six side away from home on Wednesday.
A first half Darwin Nunez header helped Liverpool see off the Hammers, who missed a penalty through Jarrod Bowen and a sitter via Tomas Soucek.
But Moyes played into Liverpool’s hands, fielding eight defensive-minded players from the off, leaving West Ham’s goal hopes solely on Gianluca Scamacca and Bowen.
Moyes lined up with a 4-4-2, deploying Pablo Fornals and defensive midfielder Flynn Downes on the wings.
Despite having pace, power and trickery in his squad, as well as undoubtedly analysing Liverpool‘s weaknesses, which would have included right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Moyes snubbed Said Benrahma and/or Michail Antonio for Fornals.
The Spaniard is in the team for his undeniable defensive work rate and to cover left-back Aaron Cresswell, who at times, has proven to be defensively vulnerable.
However, despite his defensive pros, Fornals showed at Anfield he offers very little going forward, and one of the keys to winning football matches is scoring goals.
And Downes, who has proven to be an accomplished central midfielder in Europe, made his full Premier League debut out of position, with the aim of neutralising the threat of Fabio Carvalho and Konstantinos Tsimikas.
A trademark safety-first Moyes approach, showing far too much respect to his opposition, which is starting to frustrate.
Moyes has the tools to change the Hammers’ style and play a more expansive, fearless brand of football against the Prem‘s big boys but he chooses not to.
Yes, starting Brazil No10 Lucas Paqueta missed the trip to Liverpool through injury, but he could’ve called upon Benrahma or Antonio to put the Reds under the cosh from the first whistle.
The Hammers seeing defeat on the road at the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham under Moyes should come as no surprise.
With Moyes as manager, West Ham have not won an away league game against the Prem’s best.
They’ve taken just FOUR points from an available 72.
To make matters worse for Moyes, he has not won away at Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in 69 attempts in his 24-year managerial career.
Yes, that also includes his 518-game stint as Everton manager, as well as spells at Man Utd and Sunderland.
With polls showing the United Kingdom moving towards ditching Conservatism, maybe it’s time Moyes did the same.
