Liverpool vs West Ham Postmortem: Reds Dominate with 5-1 Victory

This was a game that was always going to produce goals, with both teams shuffling their respective packs amidst a hectic schedule of games. The end score line very much flattered the red men of Merseyside, however, the clinical edge and the abundance of attacking assets is now a frightening prospect that is taking games away from the opposition.

https://twitter.com/anfieldindex/status/1839054562939851184?s=46&t=rxgukmqdoXc4muVFLSx2EQ

Starting Eleven

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

RB – Conor Bradley

RCB – Jarell Quansah

LCB – Joe Gomez (c)

LB – Andy Robertson

CDM – Wataru Endō

CM – Curtis Jones

SS – Diogo Jota

RF – Federico Chiesa

CF – Darwin Núñez

LF – Cody Gakpo

Subs

Mohamed Salah – Federico Chiesa (58 mins)

Alexis Mac Allister – Diogo Jota (58 mins)

Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson (82 mins)

Tyler Morton – Wataru Endō (82 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

Liverpool 0 – 1 West Ham:

Jarell Quansah (Own goal) – 21 mins

Liverpool 1 – 1 West Ham:

Diogo Jota (Federico Chiesa) – 25 mins

Liverpool 2 – 1 West Ham:

Diogo Jota (Curtis Jones) – 49 mins

Liverpool 3 – 1 West Ham:

Mohamed Salah – 49 mins

Liverpool 4 – 1 West Ham:

Cody Gakpo (Darwin Núñez) – 90 mins

Liverpool 5 – 1 West Ham:

Cody Gakpo – 90+3 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession

Liverpool 61% – 39% West Ham

Total Shots

Liverpool 16 – 8 West Ham

Red Cards

Liverpool 0 – 1 West Ham

Corner Kicks 

Liverpool 5 – 4 West Ham

Goalkeeper Saves

Liverpool 2 – 6 West Ham

First Half

The opening period of this game was a little frenetic and uncoordinated, as the changes between both sides created a rather sporadic and disjointed atmosphere on the pitch. The opening goal came after Liverpool had just received a VAR let off, as West Ham had a goal chalked off for off side. It would be an own goal that brought about a 0-1 scoreline a few minutes later, after a corner led to an inability (by the home side) to clear their lines.

Eventually the Japan skipper, Wataru Endō, attempted to remove the ball from all danger, only to drive the clearance into the stature of Jarell Quansah and into the net. The melee of indecision was reminiscent of last season, however, the comeback and resurrection of the team behind was also familiar in tone.

As control edged towards Arne Slot and his merry men, it would be a Federico Chiesa opportunity which was nodded into the net by the Portuguese poacher, Diogo Jota. His goal marked a period of possession and superior play as the hosts took control of the remainder of the half.

That half ended with a 1-1 scoreline, one which was probably a fair reflection to that point.

Second Half

On resumption of the second half, no changes were made as the Liverpool Head Coach sent out the same eleven men which had come back from a goal behind. Following some suspect on-ball play by Curtis Jones (near the edge of his box), the talented Englishman proceeded to surge forward and after a one-two with Cody Gakpo, produced an incisive drive to the opposition goal before placing a perfect assist onto the plate of the clinical attacker, Diogo Jota. A smart shot into the far corner took the score to 2-1 and the Anfield giants never looked back.

With some elite level substitutions came a desire from the reds Head Coach to control and end the cup contest. Mohamed Salah obliged with a well taken strike, whereas Cody Gakpo took his midweek moment (again) to claim another man of the match accolade and a pair of goals in stoppage time.

The movement and energy of this group of attackers is now something that is being used to create chance after chance, with opposing managers unable to find the answer to their woes. Darwin was not as good as the weekend; however, his energy and purpose was still in full view and he contributed an assist late on. Jota was the scorer we know and love, whereas Federico Chiesa showed a desire to win over the hearts of the Anfield support.

Wataru Endō busied himself with the dog work he loves so much, whereas the defence was steady (despite being unfamiliar) and just about dealt with what came their way. In the Liverpool goal, Caoimhin Kelleher was as solid as we know him to be as the reds controlled a game that was probably closer than the scoreline suggested.

Final Thoughts

This was a game that did not need to be won with a glittering performance, however, some very bright moments made the contest under the Anfield lights a joy to behold. This team and squad are brimming with self-confidence and fighting to get into the mindset of the new boss, which is creating much needed competition. The scoreline was emphatic, whilst the handful of superb showings sat snug amongst a strong team performance.

Wolves come next, as the reds travel to the midlands in search of yet another win in the Premier League

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

Liverpool 3 – 1 West Ham