Liverpool’s third goal v West Ham was clearly offside, says Manuel Pellegrini

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has hit out at the fact that Liverpool‘s third goal in their 4-0 win at Anfield was offside.

The Reds thumped the east Londoners on Sunday afternoon in Pellegrini’s first Premier League game at the helm of the club.

A brace from Sadio Mane, a single effort from last season’s Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah and a strike from Daniel Sturridge sank the Hammers at Anfield.

The Chilean criticised his side’s performance and added that they need to improve and continue working.

“We need to improve. We didn’t play well, we didn’t create too many chances apart from the first 15 minutes of the second half. So we need to continue working,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports.

West Ham have lost on the opening weekend of the Premier League for a record 12th time.

Not the ideal start for Manuel Pellegrini & Co. pic.twitter.com/quQMqmEfod

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“I must be clear, we need to improve and need to play better. Liverpool deserved to win.

“Of course we are absolutely positive, we are not going to crush that optimism. It is the first game of the season, we have nine new players, we play against one of the best, if not the best, teams in the league.

“We are not happy, we don’t want to lose 4-0, but we are sure we are in the correct way and will continue working.”

Mane’s second goal was clearly offside, but Pellegrini seemed to be more perturbed by Liverpool’s second just before half-time which he felt crushed his side’s spirit.

“We started the second half and they scored a clear offside goal. Too much offside. But those things happen in football.

“Maybe for me the second goal was more psychological because it was the last second of the first half. Arriving in 2-0 down instead of 1-0 down.”

Pellegrini’s record against Liverpool isn’t the best, he’s lost in all but one of the seven games he’s played against them in the Premier League.

Liverpool’s victory today was the 500th win of the Premier League era, making them one of only four other sides (Man Utd 630, Arsenal 544 and Chelsea 538 ) to reach that marker.

The Hammers will have a chance to bounce back from the heavy defeat they suffered on Sunday when they entertain Bournemouth at the London Stadium next Saturday.

West Ham have a difficult run of fixtures after that; in their next five games they will face Arsenal, Wolves, Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United.

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