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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic he would not hide from responsibility after defeat
The Croatian admits the situation looks bleak with West Ham fourth bottom
Bilic said he would talk to David Gold and David Sullivan whenever they wished

Published: 18:17 EDT, 4 November 2017 | Updated: 18:27 EDT, 4 November 2017

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Slaven Bilic remained defiant after a 4-1 home defeat by Liverpool put his job in jeopardy, claiming that he would not hide from responsibility and was ready to talk to owners David Gold and David Sullivan whenever they wished.

The Croatian manager admitted that things looked bleak, with West Ham now fourth bottom, but insisted he had the strength of character to fight back.

Whether he is afforded that chance, with an international break now giving West Ham’s board time to consider options, remains to be seen.

Slaven Bilic remained defiant on Saturday night after a 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool

The Croatian manager admitted that the situation looked bleak, with West Ham fourth bottom

West Ham were picked apart easily by Liverpool in the last game before an international break

Bilic said: ‘I’m always facing the situation, facing the consequences. I’m strong and was always strong and I’m not hiding behind anything.’ Asked when he would talk to Sullivan and Gold, he answered: ‘When they call me.’

He added: ‘Of course I believe in myself, my staff, my team and my character. I’m a big fighter. And I definitely don’t feel a broken man. I’m very, very strong.

‘On the other hand the situation for West Ham is not very good, but the club is about every individual and that includes me.

‘I’m the one taking the bullets. What I don’t question is whether I’m a strong character or not, but, are we playing well? No, we’re not.’

Bilic claimed he would talk to owners David Gold and David Sullivan whenever they wished

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp meanwhile wants the Premier League to reconsider their ‘crazy’ Christmas schedule after he found out Liverpool will play two games in three days.

Leicester visit Anfield on Saturday December 30 and Liverpool then go to Burnley for a traditional New Year’s Day fixture. Neither game is televised.

Klopp said: ‘Is there a reason nobody plays in midweek in the first week of January? They could easily play all the games on January 3 or 4. Is there another bonfire day or something like this?

‘If it’s on TV, then OK, we signed the contract, but why can we not play on Tuesday? It’s crazy. If you meet someone and they know why, maybe they can ring me.’