Having arrived at the London Stadium with the hope of continuing their impressive form over the Christmas period, Liverpool ran out as comprehensive victors over West Ham United.
Mohamed Salah scored his 20th goal of the season in a five-star demolition job of Julen Lopetegui’s side, moving Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League in the process.
As it happened
Before kick-off, Mo Salah knew that after Erling Haaland found the net earlier in the day, he would need to score to keep the Norwegian hitman at bay in the race for the golden boot. Liverpool’s Egyptian King was imperious, regal and most definitely as royal as his name suggests; he was simply sensational in London.
After having an effort palmed away from the beleaguered stopper Alphonse Areola, the mercurial Liverpool was seemingly in an domineering mood, pulling West Ham apart like a Christmas cracker in what felt like a preliminary task before the main course.
Luis Díaz, back in the starting eleven after being rested mid-week, surged through the East Londoner’s defence before sharply slotting home to give Liverpool an early lead.
At that point, the Reds were extremely aggressive as wave after wave of attacks culminated in the Colombian then squared the ball to Salah, who somehow managed to flick the ball through Max Kilman’s legs twice in three seconds to provide an assist to the in-form Cody Gakpo, who stroked the ball home to give Liverpool a two-goal cushion.
Just before half-time, the Egyptian scored his 20th goal of the season, this time receiving the ball on the edge of the area to trick Areola and slam the ball into the Frenchman’s net to ensure the Arne Slot train continued on its journey to the summit of English football.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the break, West Ham boss Lopetegui was forced into a couple of change as the Spaniard tried to stem the flow of relentless red pressure that was popping the famous bubbles of the east end outfit. However, it was all in vain, as Trent Alexander-Arnold struck gold from well outside the area, albeit deflected, to increase the visitors’ lead to four before the hour mark.
Diogo Jota managed to secure his own belated Christmas dinner as the returning Portuguese maestro gorged on Mo Salah’s gift of a through ball to curl home, moving Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they head into 2025 as the leaders.
Mancunian opponents await both teams in the new year, as West Ham travel to face a struggling Manchester City side while Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield.
The lineups
WHU: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Mavropanos, Coufal; Álvarez, Paquetá; Emerson, Soler, Kudus; Bowen
LIV: Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Jones, Salah; Díaz
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