David Moyes has attempted explain the performance that was put on by West Ham in the shameful 5-1 thrashing at Anfield last night.

Our Hammers were dumped out of the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final by Liverpool and although the scoreline reflects a hammering – it was arguably flattering on West Ham, who were dreadful in every department throughout.

The manager named a much-changed lineup to enable ‘rotation’, however with a Semi-Final place up for grabs in a competition that has Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesborough remaining, many will feel this was an opportunity wasted.

West Ham were simply not in the game and Liverpool were worthy winners, and it was astonishing that our Hammers were only 1-0 down at the break – surely the time to being on the likes of Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Emerson and Zouma to give it a real go in the 2nd half.

Moyes though opted to stick with the same side, and the inevitable happened, as West Ham were crushed. A consolation goal for Jarrod Bowen being the only light in a dark night for the club.

“Liverpool were too good of a team for us,” said a beleagued Moyes to the press after the game, as reported by the clubs Official Website. It was as simple as that.

“We can talk all we like about it, but they were far too strong and far too quick. They were much better than we were. We gave away a dreadful second goal which, for me, was the biggest key.

“We had hung in the game in the first-half. We went in one goal down and we still had a chance, we knew that, and I actually thought we were starting to grow into the game. But then we gave away a really shabby second goal.”

“We’ve been questioned a little bit about rotation and rotating the players but maybe people might look at it and see the manager is making the right choice because he’s playing the players he thinks can get the results [in most games]. I don’t think it was necessarily down to any individuals.”

Moyes tried to direct the display on the fixture congestion, but that will be little consolation for the 6k fans who travelled all that way to see that performance.

“We wanted to have a go at the Carabao Cup, we really did,” said Moyes. “But it does get worrying with the schedule we have. I’m a little worried now for the weekend because a couple of the players played longer than they should have done.

“I’ve got to say a big thank you to the fans. It was a brilliant support up at Anfield and it played its part. We stuck at it for the first half and we tried to be resilient but they just proved too good to us.”