West Ham were thumped 5-1 at home by Arsenal in their last Premier League game, and have a tough away trip to look forward on Sunday.

Slaven Bilic’s men travel to Liverpool in a bid to win for just the fourth time in the league this season, which would in turn move them away from the Premier League bottom three.

However, the Hammers have not won any of their last five league matches, conceding 12 goals in that time, and have won just once on the road in all competitions this season.

Their disappointing start to the campaign, and indeed the new era at the London Stadium, has increased the pressure on manager Bilic to turn things around quickly, as his side lay just a point and a place above the bottom three.

They did draw their last away game 1-1 at Manchester United a fortnight ago, and pushed Tottenham close the weekend prior before losing 3-2 at White Hart Lane, so there is some cause to be optimistic for West Ham fans.

Nonetheless, there are several West Ham players who haven’t been performing at their best this season, and here are TWO that will need to improve over the coming weeks…

Simone Zaza

West Ham spent €5 million to sign Simone Zaza on loan from Juventus in the summer, with a €20 million fee to make the deal permanent after a certain amount of Premier League appearances.

However, what they’ve got in return is absolutely nothing from the 25-year-old, who has yet to net in nine league appearances for the Hammers this season.

In that time, he has created just eight chances, compared to 47 from Dimitri Payet, and has had just nine shots on goal, only two of which have hit the target.

There are rumours that the permanent fee comes into effect after 10 appearances, which has actually passed given that he made his 12th appearance for Bilic’s side in the 4-1 defeat at Manchester United last week.

With Diafra Sakho likely to be out for a while, Zaza must improve and lead the line for the Hammers when called upon.

Andre Ayew

Andre Ayew has made six appearances for West Ham since returning from an injury he sustained on the opening day against Chelsea.

The Ghanaian international can’t be too harshly criticised given the serious thigh injury he picked up back in August, but Bilic clearly feels he has something to offer given his two Premier League starts and four substitute appearances since returning.

However, the 26-year-old has created just two chances in that time, and has yet to have a shot at goal so far this season.

It could be worth taking him out of the side for a few weeks to build up his fitness, but Bilic needs his best players performing now given West Ham’s predicament near the bottom of the league.

They are clearly struggling going forward, and Ayew will be one of the players they look at to get the goals to drag them away from the bottom three.