Liverpool gave themselves a much-needed boost of confidence when they secured a hard-earned 2-0 victory at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League since arriving for £125million from Newcastle United by netting on the hour before Cody Gakpo sealed the win in injury time against the Hammers, who had Lucas Paqueta sent off late on.
The result means Arne Slot’s side have moved back into the top half of the table after ending a run of three successive defeats in all competitions.
The ECHO was in attendance at the London Stadium and here we run the rule over the performance of the Liverpool players.
Alisson Becker 6
Biggest danger during the entire match was when being clobbered by Gomez first half.
Joe Gomez 8
Good positional sense to cover when required before break and got forward regularly, initiating the opener and assist for the second. Fine display on his return.
Ibrahima Konate 6
Opted to keep matters simple with some no-nonsense defending but West Ham allowed him the ball most of the time.
Virgil van Dijk 7
Tried to get Liverpool going forward first half with some searching diagonals and tested defensively in final quarter.
Milos Kerkez 7
Plenty of energy and fight down the left flank in both directions and tidy enough with ball, more than holding his own up against the dangerous Bowen. Subbed.
Ryan Gravenberch 7
More confidence and attacking purpose than in recent weeks and occasional bursts of acceleration first half before more holding role after that.
Alexis Mac Allister 6
Used ball reasonably well first half but lack of mobility at times an issue. Neat enough when in possession.
Dominik Szoboszlai 7
Operating ostensibly on the right, got stuck in but not as much influence as of late until lung-busting run helped fashion the second.
Florian Wirtz 8
Playing in a central role, Liverpool’s most creative player throughout and key part in opener. Found good spaces and tested Areola first half. Subbed.
Cody Gakpo 8
Touch let him down with one Wirtz pass, but got through lot of work and lay-offs created chances for Isak and Wirtz before setting up opener for former and then netting second.
Alexander Isak 7
Denied by fine Areola save first half before trademark first-time finish for the opener. At least looked like he’d met his team-mates before the match. Subbed.
SUBS
Hugo Ekitike (for Isak 68) 6
Close with one curling effort and plenty of good movement.
Curtis Jones (for Wirtz 75) 6
Instant link-up with Ekitike almost paid dividends.
Andy Robertson (for Kerkez 85)
Win bonus.