Home SPORTS How Liverpool's Dominance Handed West Ham a Comfortable Defeat

How Liverpool's Dominance Handed West Ham a Comfortable Defeat

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Liverpool dominates West Ham with 2-0 win, ending poor run

Liverpool's visit to West Ham's London Stadium was a crucial match for both teams, with both sides desperately needing points. The Reds, under pressure after a string of poor results, were looking to bounce back, while West Ham were seeking to turn their season around after a tough run of games.


Liverpool's last game was a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, but recent head-to-head history favors them against West Ham...


Liverpool's energetic performance made short work of West Ham's lackluster display at the London Stadium, securing a 2-0 win in the Premier League. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo scored the goals, with Isak netting his first Premier League goal for Liverpool.


The Reds' victory was a welcome relief, ending a run of nine losses in 12 games. Manager Arne Slot had made a bold move, dropping Mohamed Salah to the bench, and it paid off. Slot's side dominated possession and created chances, with Isak and Gakpo leading the charge.


West Ham, on the other hand, struggled to cope with Liverpool's intensity. Lucas Paqueta's red card in the 84th minute didn't help their cause, and the Hammers were unable to threaten Alisson's goal. The win moves Liverpool up to eighth place, while West Ham remains 17th.



Hammers Need a Boost

Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham are looking for consistency after a shaky start. A three-game unbeaten streak, including a draw at Bournemouth, offers some hope, but they'll need more to avoid relegation fears.



Liverpool's Inconsistency

Liverpool's struggles continue, failing to string two wins together. This might give West Ham hope, but they'll need a strong performance to get a result against Manchester United.


Liverpool's last game was a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, but recent head-to-head history favors them against West Ham. The Reds have been unbeaten in the last seven English top-flight games against the Hammers.


West Ham's struggles against Liverpool continue, with their last win dating back to November 2021. Since then, they've scored just five goals and conceded 16, a worrying trend for the Hammers.



Salah Benched for First Time Under Slot

Mohamed Salah didn't start for Liverpool against West Ham, marking the first time he's been left out under Arne Slot. This ended his streak of 53 consecutive league starts, with his last benching in April 2024 also against West Ham.


Slot Explains Decision

Arne Slot explained that Salah's benching was due to squad rotation, with Liverpool playing four games in 10 days. Slot praised Salah's importance to the club, saying he's had an “unbelievable career” at Liverpool and will have a “very good future” there.




The game was shaping up to be a closely contested match, with both teams creating chances, albeit with limited success. In the first 20 minutes, there were four shots that were either blocked or went off target, showing that both sides were probing for an opening.


Liverpool's dominance was evident, with 82% possession at the halfway point of the first half. Ryan Gravenberch was instrumental in the Reds' midfield, having completed all 16 of his passes and winning four duels, the most in the match. His performance was a key factor in Liverpool's control of the game.



Hammers' Defensive Stand

West Ham's defense held firm, with Konstantinos Mavropanos leading the charge. He won three of his four tackles and made five clearances, while the back four worked together to keep Liverpool at bay.


Diouf's Key Interceptions

El Hadji Malick Diouf was also impressive, making three interceptions, the most for West Ham. The Hammers' defense was organized and resolute, making it tough for Liverpool to break through.


Liverpool's stats were in their favor after a goalless first half, having lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games at the interval (W13 D6). That sole loss was to Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest in September 2024.


West Ham's struggles to score continued, failing to find the net in the first half again. In nine of their 13 league games this season, they've failed to register in the opening 45, the worst record in the English top-flight.



Isak's First Goal for Liverpool

Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak were on fire up front, and their combination led to Isak's first goal for Liverpool, his sixth in six games against West Ham. Isak's low shot past Alphonse Areola gave the Reds the lead on the hour mark, and it was a crucial goal that changed the game.


West Ham's Unsuccessful Attacks
Despite peppering the Liverpool goal with 18 crosses, West Ham couldn't find the target. The Hammers' attacks were relentless, but Liverpool's defense held strong, keeping a clean sheet and securing a 2-0 win.






Jarrod Bowen was West Ham's standout performer, leading the line with three attempts on goal. However, his efforts were overshadowed by Lucas Paqueta's red card, which sealed the Hammers' fate.


Paqueta's sending off was harsh, receiving two yellow cards for dissent in the space of a minute. It was a costly mistake, leaving West Ham down to 10 men and struggling to create chances.


Virgil van Dijk was imperious at the back, with a 92.5% pass accuracy, helping Liverpool maintain their dominance. The Dutchman's solidity was key to the Reds' clean sheet and 2-0 win.


Gakpo Seals Late Winner

Cody Gakpo sealed the win in the 92nd minute, scoring his fourth league goal of the campaign. The goal gave him the lead in the scoring charts for Liverpool, and capped off a dominant performance by the Reds.



Van Dijk's Dominant Display

Virgil van Dijk was the standout performer, with seven touches in the Hammers' box and 11 one-on-one duels attempted. His dominance in the box was unmatched by his teammates, and it showed in Liverpool's clean sheet.


Wirtz Bounces Back

Florian Wirtz silenced his critics with a strong performance, contributing to Liverpool's win. His midfield work and creativity helped the Reds control the game and create chances.


Virgil van Dijk was solid at the back, achieving a 93.3% pass completion, the highest among Liverpool's starters. He lost possession only four times, showcasing his comfort with the ball, a welcome sight for Liverpool fans.




West Ham's struggles continue, and Nuno Espirito Santo's team will need to regroup before facing Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Hammers were outplayed, with Lucas Paqueta's red card further complicating their chances.




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