West Ham United defender Pablo Zabaleta has admitted that Liverpool's front three are "difficult" to play against.

The Argentine was part of the Hammers team that suffered a second successive 4-1 defeat to the Reds on Saturday, as Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were all on target at Anfield.

Zabaleta praised the trio's movement and pace as key factors in their 66-goal haul this term.

"It was tough, Anfield is always a tough place to come," the full-back told reporters of the game. "They were better. I thought in the first half we were good, we had a good few chances, but in the second half we were not good enough.

"They are a team that are intense, they keep going forward and have quality up front. They are so direct and they make the runs in behind. They create chances playing that way and they can score goals. It is not only against West Ham – we have seen they can score more than two or three goals against top sides."

"It is always hard any time you come here. I think they are a really good team to be honest. Those three guys up front now are in a really good moment. They are difficult to play against. They don't give a point of reference, they are so mobile. They are good players. In the second half we gave them too many chances."

West Ham face Swansea City in their next game, while Liverpool host Newcastle United.