Slaven Bilic bemoans "big defeat"

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has admitted that his side's 4-1 home loss at the hands of Liverpool is a "big defeat", but insists that their form is not down to a lack of effort.

A brace from Mohamed Salah either side of goals from Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw the Reds cruise to victory at the London Stadium, condemning West Ham to a second consecutive home defeat, both of which have been by three-goal margins.

Bilic admitted that his side could have defended better, but credited Liverpool for their devastating counter-attacking which saw them pose a constant threat.

"We started well for the first 20 minutes, exactly what we wanted but then we conceded two goals, very cheap," he told BT Sport.

"We tried to change the shape and be more open in the second half, we scored but they are so good on the counter attack. It is a big defeat for us.

"It's not a lack of effort. We should have defended better, it's no excuse to concede from your own corner kick. At this level if you are 2-0 down so early it's not game over but it's very difficult to come back."

West Ham now sit in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone following their sixth league defeat of the season.