By Alan Hutton

9th Mar, 2022 | 6:00pm

West Ham squad player has quashed Moyes fears over losing Declan Rice - pundit

Alan Hutton has insisted David Moyes will be delighted with how West Ham coped without Declan Rice in Saturday’s loss to Liverpool.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland international hailed Manuel Lanzini for stepping into the 23-year-old’s boots in a deep-lying midfield role.

Rice missed the Iron’s trip to Anfield due to illness, with Moyes’ men losing 1-0.

However, as reported by the Evening Standard today (9 March), Rice is winning his battle to be fit for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Sevilla.

Despite Rice’s prospective return, Hutton suggested Moyes would be delighted with what he saw from his side without their midfield talisman in the team.

Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It didn’t go their way.

“But I think going away from home and playing Liverpool is always a difficult task.

“For it only to be 1-0 when you’re missing some key players, it shows you what David Moyes and his team are capable of.

“Lanzini, there’s no doubt he’s a very technically-gifted player who can play at a high level. For him to come in and play the way he did, David Moyes will be very happy.

“Long term, I don’t really see that happening. But it’s good to know that you’ve got a player that can be versatile. He can slip into different positions and play at a high level.”

Rice has missed just six games across all competitions for West Ham this season.

Meanwhile, Lanzini has played a squad role for the Irons, with 11 league starts under his belt.

In other news, pundit claims West Ham have made major transfer blunder after player latest.