- West Ham manager injured during Liverpool’s 5-1 Cup win
- Julen Lopetegui needed to use crutches after being injured at Anfield
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West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has been forced to use crutches after picking up an injury on the bench during Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.
The Hammers boss oversaw his heaviest defeat since taking charge in pre-season as Arne Slot’s Liverpool dominated the Anfield encounter to claim a 5-1 victory that eliminated West Ham from the competition.
Lopetegui was already feeling emotionally hurt when Liverpool led 3-1 after Diogo Jota scored twice and Mohamed Salah added a third and was hurt when his players squandered a chance to pull a goal back.
Summer signing Crysencio Summerville missed a chance in front of goal with West Ham two down and Lopetegui reacted by leaping into the air, exasperated at the wasted effort.
The 58-year-old suffered a calf problem upon landing back on the bench and then limped into the post-match press conference after receiving treatment at the end of the game.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui had to use crutches after being injured on the bench against Liverpool
The 58-year-old confirmed he had picked up the injury when he limped into his post-match press conference at Anfield.
West Ham were knocked out of the Carabao Cup after suffering a dismal 5-1 defeat to the Reds
Mail Sport later learned that Lopetegui’s injury left him needing the use of crutches after the match.
Lopetegui spent the rest of the match sitting in the technical area after being injured and later confirmed that he had hurt his leg during the emotional display in the technical area.
“I have a small calf injury,” he admitted after limping into the room for his post-match press conference.
‘I don’t think we deserved this result. I think we were better in the game than them at many times.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (centre) watched his side secure a dominant League Cup victory.
‘I prefer not to talk about the referee. I am very clear that the decisions were against us and the key decisions.
“But in the end, when we had chances to score, we didn’t take them. To win these kinds of games you have to be close.
“After the third goal and the red card it was much more difficult. The last part of the game was very bad for us,” he added.
The Hammers boss will be hoping to have fully recovered to be able to take his place on the sideline for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Brentford.
