Isak Scores as Liverpool Stop Rot at 10-man West Ham

At a glance

Tributes are paid after death of West Ham’s former captain and manager Billy Bonds at 79

Mohamed Salah dropped for a Premier League game for the first time since April 2024 at West Ham

Alexander Isak puts Liverpool ahead with his first league goal since his record £125m move from Newcastle

Lucas Paqueta sent off for two quick bookings and Cody Gakpo adds late second for Reds

PLAYER RATINGS

Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool since his record £125m move from Newcastle United as Arne Slot’s side ended their wretched run with a much-needed victory at West Ham United.

On an occasion of high emotion following the announcement of the death of legendary former Hammers captain and manager Billy Bonds, the Reds ended a dismal sequence of nine defeats in 12 games – their worst since 1954 – with a deserved success.

Head coach Slot dropped Mohamed Salah from a league starting line-up for the first time since April 2024, also at West Ham – a run of 53 games – under his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, and was rewarded with a much-improved display.

Liverpool dominated a subdued West Ham, with Florian Wirtz excelling in a role behind the strikers, before Isak ended his personal struggles – and 310-minute league goal drought – with a fine half-volley from Cody Gakpo’s cross on the hour.

The home side’s misery was compounded six minutes from time when Lucas Paqueta was shown two yellow cards for dissent by referee Darren England in quick succession for arguing over a decision to award a foul against his team.

Liverpool then added a second goal their superiority deserved when Gakpo finished well in stoppage time, and moved up to eighth place in the table – three points off the top four.

Liverpool analysis: Slot’s selection reaps rewards

Liverpool did well defensively to not give anything away – Slot

Liverpool head coach Slot answered the growing questions about the disappointing form of Salah by dropping the Egyptian and re-shaping his attacking options.

Isak started as striker ahead of Hugo Ekitike, while Dominik Szoboszlai played on the right with Gakpo on the left,

It allowed German playmaker Wirtz to have one of his best games for Liverpool since his summer arrival, linking play with intelligence between attack and midfield as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister provided a solid base.

Slot also stiffened his defence by playing Joe Gomez at right-back for his first league start in 11 months, allowing Szoboszlai to use his influence further forward.

Swedish frontman Isak – whose only other Liverpool goal this term came in the Carabao Cup game against Southampton in September – had opportunities before his instinctive finish, having a close-ranged hooked finish saved well by Alphonse Areola.

But the relief was evident as he netted his sixth goal in seven league appearances against the Hammers.

Wirtz was also denied his first goal since his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen with a weak low finish saved by Areola after being teed up by Gakpo.

Liverpool looked more organised and composed in this shape, with more threat further forward, and this is the sort of performance and result that will do wonders for confidence, particularly that of Isak and Wirtz after their previous below-par displays.

West Ham analysis: Hammers subdued on sad day

The spirit and desire was there – Nuno disappointed after Liverpool defeat

This was a game overshadowed by the shattering news about Hammers icon Bonds, one of the greatest leaders and players ever to represent the club.

The former defender was a symbol of West Ham’s spirit, with the East Stand at London Stadium renamed after him in 2019 – an honour which moved him to tears when he addressed supporters at the time.

It was in this subdued atmosphere the Hammers faced a Liverpool side desperate to revive their fortunes after their struggles.

But Nuno Espirito Santo’s team produced a lacklustre performance as they remained on 11 points, only out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was barely troubled, with the only serious anxiety coming near the end when Jarrod Bowen fired a good opportunity off target.

As for Paqueta, only he will know what possessed him to get into a nonsensical verbal exchange with referee England following Niclas Füllkrug’s foul on Szoboszlai – a debate the Brazilian refused to stop until he received the two yellow cards and was dismissed.

Average rating7.79

Source: BBC