Eye-opener for lethargic Pool

Liverpool’s long-awaited and emotional return to the Champions League is providing manager Brendan Rodgers with a Premier League hangover – and a steep learning curve — after he was outwitted by wily Sam Allardyce and left mulling a difficult conundrum that appears to have no simple answers ahead to the Merseyside derby.

West Ham’s 3-1 victory at Upton Park was well deserved and leaves Liverpool slumped in mid-table with only six points from five games and struggling to rediscover the glittering form of last season that made them surprise title contenders.