Liverpool legend Gary Gillespie has revealed that despite West Ham United beating Everton last weekend, he still fully expects the Hammers to spend the season fighting relegation.
Gillespie got a close up look at West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season when Liverpool thrashed the Hammers 4-0 at Anfield.
Manuel Pellegrini spent around £100m on new players in the summer transfer window, but West Ham only have one win in five Premier League games and play Chelsea on Sunday.
And Gillespie feels Pellegrini will be managing in a relegation dogfight this season.
"I said West Ham [would struggle] after I saw them against us", Gillespie said on LFC TV, when asked about the relegation battle.
"They have picked up a little bit and they had that victory.
"But I still think West Ham will be down there fighting against relegation", the former Liverpool defender added.
Liverpool put West Ham to the sword with goals from Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane (two) and Daniel Sturridge and head to the London Stadium for the reverse Premier League fixture at the start of February, where they will be looking for another comfortable three points.
Following the visit of Chelsea on Sunday, West Ham are in EFL Cup action, at home against Macclesfield Town.
