Liverpool’s upturn in fortunes against the Hammers continued on Saturday, boosting their top four prospects in the process…
West Ham United’s spell as one of Liverpool’s main bogey sides appears to be well and truly over after Jürgen Klopp‘s men recorded a third high-scoring victory in a row over them.
As they had on their two most recent trips to the London Stadium, the Reds, who had previously failed to beat the Hammers in five consecutive league and cup matches (L3, D2), found the back of the net on four occasions during a relatively comfortable afternoon at Anfield.
The visitors, chiefly through the rejuvenated Marko Arnautović, did threaten in the early stages, when both teams hit the woodwork, but fell away after Emre Can headed Liverpool in front shortly before the half hour mark.
Two early second half goals from in-form duo Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who now have 55 goals between them this term, quickly put pay to any vague hopes of a West Ham comeback.
Substitute Michail Antonio did pull a goal back for David Moyes’ team on the hour mark however, but Sadio Mané, who had hit the post moments earlier, rounded-off a fine Liverpool win with 13 minutes to play.
The victory, which saw the Merseysiders smash through the 100 goal mark for the season, moves them, temporarily at least, into second in the Premier League standings.
Summarising an entertaining encounter at his post-match press conference, Klopp remarked: “I thought we were good in the first half but the first really big chance was for Arnautovic, a nice little genius strike and a fantastic save from Loris Karius. But we kept on going, we played football.
“It was really difficult today – the wind changed direction all the time so it was difficult to judge, for both teams of course. And it’s a question of attitude, to be honest, to stay in the game then and stay focused, to do what is right to do and to improve as well and we did that.
“I am really happy with the complete performance, all the individual performances were really, really good today. When we had problems in one or two moments, we had comebacks in the game and then didn’t suffer or whatever.
“It was just a good game and we were really difficult to play today, I would say. We scored fantastic goals and created a lot more chances and that’s against a David Moyes team – really good organised, in a good moment in the league, good quality, individual quality. So today I have nothing to criticise, to be honest.”
Next up for Liverpool is a visit from former boss Rafa Benitez when Newcastle United visit Anfield on Saturday (5.30pm GMT).
So that’s what both we and Klopp thought about the game, how about you? Let us know your views below…
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