Liverpool delivered a masterclass at the London Stadium, demolishing West Ham United 5-0 in a commanding performance. The Premier League leaders, spearheaded by a scintillating Mohamed Salah, extended their dominance at the top of the table while leaving the Hammers reeling from their second five-goal defeat to Liverpool this season.

Match Recap

First Half: Liverpool’s Ruthless Attack

Liverpool wasted no time asserting their authority:

Early Pressure: Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, and Luis Diaz forced West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola into early saves.
Diaz Breaks the Deadlock: In the 30th minute, Luis Diaz capitalized on his own loose pass, showing determination to recover and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Salah’s Brilliance: The Egyptian maestro nutmegged two defenders before assisting Cody Gakpo for Liverpool’s second in the 40th minute. Salah then added his name to the scoresheet just before halftime, capping off a sensational first half for the Reds.

Second Half: Liverpool Cruise to Victory

The second half continued in the same vein:

Alexander-Arnold Strikes: Trent Alexander-Arnold added Liverpool’s fourth with a deflected effort just minutes after the restart.
Jota Seals the Rout: Substitute Diogo Jota completed the scoring in the 84th minute, tapping in to make it 5-0.

West Ham struggled to respond, managing only two tame shots on target throughout the match.

Player Ratings

West Ham United (4-2-3-1)

Alphonse Areola (5.3/10): Overworked but couldn’t prevent the onslaught.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (5.3/10) and Max Kilman (5.0/10): Struggled to contain Liverpool’s relentless attack.
Lucas Paqueta (4.7/10): Failed to influence the midfield battle.
Mohammed Kudus (6.4/10): Showed flashes of creativity but lacked support.
Emerson (6.7/10): West Ham’s brightest spark, offering energy on the left flank.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Mohamed Salah (9.3/10): The undisputed star of the match, with a goal and an assist in a commanding display.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8.8/10): Combined defensive solidity with attacking flair, including a goal.
Virgil van Dijk (7.8/10): Marshaled the backline with authority.
Alexis Mac Allister (8.4/10): Dominated the midfield with composure and creativity.
Luis Diaz (7.9/10): Opened the scoring and contributed to Liverpool’s relentless pressure.

Key Takeaways

Liverpool’s Dominance

Relentless Attack: Liverpool showcased their attacking depth, with Salah leading the charge and contributions from Diaz, Gakpo, and Jota.
Defensive Solidity: Alisson and the backline kept a clean sheet, limiting West Ham to minimal opportunities.

West Ham’s Struggles

Lack of Threat: The Hammers managed just two shots on target, failing to test Liverpool’s defense.
Midfield Overrun: Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez were outclassed by Liverpool’s dynamic midfield trio.

What’s Next?

Liverpool

The Reds will host Manchester United next week in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. With their current form, Liverpool look poised to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

West Ham

The Hammers must regroup quickly as they aim to climb out of mid-table mediocrity. Improvements in both attack and defense will be essential.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s 5-0 victory over West Ham was a statement of intent from the Premier League leaders. Mohamed Salah’s brilliance and the team’s overall dominance highlighted their credentials as title favorites. For West Ham, the defeat serves as a stark reminder of the gulf in class and the work needed to compete at the highest level.