Amidst the [Lucas Paquetá](https://www.claretandhugh.info/disgraceful-petulant-paqueta-knew-precisely-what-he-was-doing/)\-induced fury today there are elements of Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers’ performance that almost slipped under the radar. Changes to the starting eleven saw Soungoutou Magassa get a start whilst, controversially, the Hammers boss left out £40 million Lopetegui signing Maximilian Kilman: The defender who has seemed almost an ever-present under three different Hammers head coaches found himself unceremoniously benched.
Fit again Mavropanos actually did a half – decent job but had the usual errors – missing his header for the second Liverpool goal proved crucial but there’s no real likelihood that Kilman would have done any better, such are the mediocrity of West Ham’s starting centre back performances the season.
When pressed after the game on the rationale behind Kilman’s absence from the team, the head coach produced one of his now customary inscrutable answers:
_“There are many reasons behind that: The schedule, Dino has had an injury, has recovered and is working well, having \[to\] schedule players ahead of a quick turnaround. We are going to need all the players in the squad._
_“Nothing… just a decision. I think Dino competed well_.”
Kilman likely to be recalled owing to the quick turnaround for the Manchester United game
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No injury then, just _‘a decision_‘: With the quick turnaround of another game just three days on, Nuno’s words would suggest that Kilman will be back in the frame for a start against Manchester United. Neither of the duo show the signs of improving their game that have been clear from the Hammers’ third centre back Jean-Clair Todibo who was pretty again yesterday.
Todibo appears to have upped his game – and his fitness – in a way that the other centre back pair urgently need to follow. Neither option looks capable or partnering ‘JCT’ to the much desired clean sheet defensive shutout on Thursday, whether it be Kilman or Mavropanos who get the nod from their manager.