“Alexander Isak” (60) and “Cody Gakpo” (90+2) scored the goals of the match, giving “the Reds” the victory after three consecutive defeats in various competitions.
With this victory, Liverpool raised its score to 21 points to occupy eighth place, while West Ham United’s score froze at 11 points in seventeenth place.
The match started at a fast pace, with Liverpool, who kept its Egyptian star “Mohamed Salah” on the bench, showing greater attacking boldness led by the trio “Viertz,” “Gakpo,” and “Isak.”
In the fourth minute, “Isak” had a dangerous opportunity after a brilliant pass from “Viertz,” but he shot the ball randomly over the stands.
In the 11th minute, “Wan-Bissaka” rushed forward and played a powerful cross that caused “Alisson” to collide with “Gomez” while trying to clear, and the Brazilian goalkeeper received treatment before resuming play.
“Viertz” was the most influential on the field, creating several chances, most notably in the 16th minute after a clever curved ball inside the area that “Isak” failed to read, before “Van Dijk” headed a header that passed over the crossbar.
In the 18th minute, West Ham’s most dangerous opportunity came when “Fernandez” passed an accurate ball to “Wilson,” who slipped behind the Liverpool defense, but his shot hit “Konate” and went out for a corner.
In the 21st minute, “Gomez” sent a distinguished cross that “Gakpo” converted with a header to reach “Isak,” who tried to shoot from six yards, but “Areola” shone and saved his goal from a sure goal.
Liverpool continued its pressure, but suffered a refereeing blow in the 24th minute after the referee ignored a clear obstruction on “Gravenberch” on the edge of the penalty area.
In the 27th minute, “Isak” wasted another opportunity after manipulating the West Ham defense, but he decided to go back instead of shooting directly, losing the ball.
In the 30th minute, “Mac Allister” shot a rebounded ball from the West Ham defense from afar, but his attempt was weak within the reach of “Areola.”
In the 38th minute, “Wilson” caused a small crisis when he raised his arm during a clash with “Van Dijk” and injured him in the neck, but the referee sufficed with awarding a foul.
In the 39th minute, “Gakpo” received a long ball and managed to control it before setting it up for “Viertz” inside the area, but the latter shot a very weak ball into the arms of the West Ham goalkeeper.
After the break, Liverpool continued searching for a goal to advance, but “Gakpo” missed a strange opportunity in the 50th minute after shooting a “disastrous” ball that went far from the goal.
In the 59th minute, West Ham responded with an individual attempt from “Paqueta,” but the ball passed next to the post.
In the 60th minute, Liverpool’s awaited goal came, as “Gakpo” started from the left side and sent a clever cross to the back that reached “Isak,” who shot “with perfect accuracy” inside the net.
This goal was important on a personal level for “Isak,” and at the level of the team and its coach “Arne Slot.”
After the goal, West Ham tried to return to the match, but Liverpool remained more organized and maintained its lead.
In the 76th minute, Liverpool came close to scoring a second goal when “Hugo Ekitike” shot a powerful ball that passed next to the post.
In the 80th minute, West Ham thought it was close to equalizing, but the referee raised the flag, announcing “Paqueta” offside.
In the 84th minute, “Lucas Paqueta” completely lost his temper and received a second yellow card and then a straight red card due to repeated objections.
Liverpool took advantage of West Ham’s advancement in injury time and scored the second goal through “Gakpo” with an unstoppable shot.
