Łukasz Fabiański believes Wednesday night’s performance at Liverpool was another pointer that West Ham United’s season is moving in the right direction, despite the result.
Darwin Núñez’s first half header proved enough to settle a tight affair on Merseyside, although the Hammers created enough chances to gain something from the contest.
Jarrod Bowen had a penalty saved by Alisson on the stroke of half-time, before the Brazil goalkeeper made crucial stops from Saïd Benrahma and Tomáš Souček as time ticked away.
The Hammers could not find that crucial touch in the final third as they sought a leveller, but Fabiański was sure there was plenty to be heartened by as focus switches to Monday night’s assignment against Bournemouth.
“It’s disappointing we didn’t get anything from the game,” he admitted. “ They created more chances than us, but the chances we created were really, really good chances – the penalty, the one near the end from Tomáš which was blocked nearly on the line.
“We weren’t able to put them away so we’re very disappointed that we didn’t get a result.
“We have improved a lot as a team, compared to where we were when the season started. I believe we are going in the right direction, but performances are one thing and the other thing is getting points on the board.
“We had a good run of games, and on Wednesday night we lost, but I think we really have to focus on the next game, make sure we prepare well and get three points against Bournemouth.”
Fabiański, who made important stops from Núñez and Roberto Firmino on his 150th appearance in Claret and Blue, felt his team’s half-time adjustments to deal with Liverpool’s press deserved a better outcome in the end.
“I think it was just small adjustments that we made and at the same time we were a little braver in the way we tried to play with the ball,” he added.
“Initially we lost too many balls and got caught in possession in our half, but in the second half we took more risks and were able to play through them sometimes.
“I think it was a big change comparing the first half to the second half.”
