West Ham 0, Liverpool 5 - Match Recap: Everyone’s Got A Goal
A look back at the key moments in Liverpool’s incredible victory over West Ham in Premier League action.
West Ham 0 - 5 Liverpool
Liverpool: Diaz 29’, Gakpo 40’, Salah 44’, Alexander-Arnold 53’, Jota 84’
Pre-Match
Liverpool make the trip down to London for their last match of the calendar year, visiting West Ham. Thoughts may be on outstanding contracts and the deadline rapidly approaching allowing players to talk to other clubs but we’ve got a match to play and a league to win.
Liverpool have only made one change from their lineup in the midweek, with Luis Diaz starting over the troubled Darwin Núñez. Dominik Szoboszlai is serving a one match suspension for yellow card accumulations, so isn’t on the bench, but Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota return to the substitutions. The Reds have the chance to build on that gap at the top of the table again, and West Ham look a prime target. Let’s go.
First Half
And we’re off! Both teams start the fight early but its West Ham that gets in the danger zone early but are offside in the first two minutes. Liverpool win things back quickly though and see Mohamed Salah shoot over the crossbar just a few minutes later. These opening minutes have been fairly even, with Liverpool and West Ham trading possession - much to Arne Slot’s dismay I’m sure. Liverpool have been very sharp on the ball with crisp passes and movement with the ball, the finishing just has to catch up a little bit. The Hammers, to their credit, have been really keen to disrupt any chances the Reds create, not making it easy for us to get ahead.
Another chance for Liverpool comes in the 21st minute, with Luis Diaz getting a one touch shot off his right foot that is palmed away by goalkeeper Areola. The Reds had settled into possession disturbed only briefly by West Ham getting forward and winning a dubious corner, but are able to get things back on track and GET THEIR OPENING GOAL! Luis Diaz in the 29th minute! The Colombian shoots right through the heart of West Ham’s defense and puts the good guys ahead!
There could easily be a second goal in this half as Liverpool have had seven shots so far, but things take a turn when Joe Gomez pulls up with what looks like a hamstring problem in the 35th minute, forcing Jarrell Quansah to come on in his stead. West Ham take the opportunity to have another go, but Kudus’ shot hits the post and skids across the face of the goal. Things move quickly back the other way though and IT’S TWO! CODY GAKPO! Salah twists within the maelstrom to get the ball to the Dutchman and that second goal is tapped right in!
AND ANOTHER! Salah is just toying with West Ham at this point, after the ball is won back by Alexis Mac Allister, and the Egyptian scores standing up to make it 3-0 before the second half. The Reds are clearly enjoying this, and long may it continue (at least into the second half).
Second Half
Fans have already started to leave the London Stadium and West Ham make two changes going into the second half to try and stop the Reds. Liverpool get started just as they stopped, with Mac Allister playing Salah into goal but his effort is saved by Areola. Liverpool switch off briefly, allowing West Ham forward again but their own efforts are thwarted by Kudus sending another shot over the crossbar. Mac Allister makes an amazing tackle on Jarrod Bowen as the hosts try to take control again, but they keep giving Liverpool space to exploit and exploit they do.
THIS TIME IT’S TRENT! The Scouser fires a trademark rocket down the center of goal that Areola even ducks from! His first Premier League goal since April, and the timing probably couldn’t be better. Liverpool make two more changes shortly after (with eyes clearly on next weekend’s match), with Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo coming off for Diogo Jota and Wataru Endo, while West Ham take off Bowen for not being able to continue. Even as West Ham have let us have the run of the pitch, it has still been an enjoyable match to watch - maybe because they look toothless.
Things have settled considerably since the fourth goal, but it’s only a matter of time before the fifth goal comes, although from who is anyone’s guess (Salah wants it, Jota is up for it). Liverpool show no signs of mercy as they keep cutting through West Ham, but make their final changes with Tsimikas coming on for Robertson, and Curtis Jones making way for Harvey Elliott.
AND THERE’S FIVE! DIOGO JOTA GETS HIS GOAL! West Ham have nothing to say for this onslaught and it’s a sight to see. No cards, Gomez’s injury the only drawback, what a comfortable win in London.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool EMPHATICALLY did the thing! 45 points, eight clear of second place, nine clear of Arsenal in third place. Oh come let us adore them.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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