Alexander Isak netted his maiden Premier League goal for Liverpool as they earned a much-needed 2-0 victory over West Ham United to ease the pressure on head coach Arne Slot.
The Reds were full value for all three points at the London Stadium, with Isak finally finding the net in the top flight after his £125m British record transfer when he broke the deadlock in the 60th minute before Cody Gakpo rounded off the triumph in stoppage-time.
The win arrested a run of three successive defeats for Liverpool in all competitions and they’ll be hoping this as the springboard to getting their season back on track.
Liverpool dominated much of the first half and had the opening opportunity in the fourth minute but Isak skied his shot over the bar.
Isak then had another chance on 21 minutes when Gakpo headed across goal but the striker was denied by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from close range.
Slot’s side continued to probe the Hammers and Gakpo really had to to better when picked out by Florian Wirtz but the Holland international’s poor touch let him down. Then six minutes before the break, Wirtz spurned a big chance when teed-up by Gakpo, but Aerola made a save he shouldn’t have been allowed to.
The visitors continued on the front foot after the break, with Gakpo blazing an effort over. Then on the hour mark, they deservedly took the lead with Isak finally bagging in the league. The Sweden international drifted away from his marker inside the box and, when picked out by Gakpo, he produced a deadly first-time finish.
West Ham did put Liverpool under pressure in the closing stages, but the closest they came was a Jarrod Bowen effort that flew wide. Then they were reduced to 10 men when Lucas Paqueta was issued a second yellow card for dissent. And in the dying embers, the away fans’ nerves were put to rest when Joe Gomez picked out Gakpo, who hammered home from inside the box.
It was the sort of performance that Slot required to highlight that he can still turn things around in the Anfield head coach - with Liverpool up to eighth in the Premier League table.
Liverpool player ratings vs West Ham
Made an early punch off his line and otherwise untested in the first half. Barely had anything to do in the second period.
1. Alisson Becker - 6
Made an early punch off his line and otherwise untested in the first half. Barely had anything to do in the second period. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Solid defensively in the first half and surprisingly proved a potent attacking threat, with one leading to an Isak chance and another forcing Areola to parry off his line. Gave nothing away down his flank in the second half and played one really clever pass to set Wirtz free. Then made the right choice to avoid appeals to shoot and picked out Gakpo to put the game to rest,
2. Joe Gomez - 9
Solid defensively in the first half and surprisingly proved a potent attacking threat, with one leading to an Isak chance and another forcing Areola to parry off his line. Gave nothing away down his flank in the second half and played one really clever pass to set Wirtz free. Then made the right choice to avoid appeals to shoot and picked out Gakpo to put the game to rest, | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Deflected a Callum Wilson shot over the bar but was lucky to avoid a booking in the first half for what appeared to be a foul on Ed Hadji Malick Diouf. Made one important headed clearance after the break but still looks nervous on the ball at times.
3. Ibrahima Konate - 6
Deflected a Callum Wilson shot over the bar but was lucky to avoid a booking in the first half for what appeared to be a foul on Ed Hadji Malick Diouf. Made one important headed clearance after the break but still looks nervous on the ball at times. | AFP via Getty Images
Pretty faultless in the first half. Similar after the break and was a cool head in the closing stages when West Ham were on top.
4. Virgil van Dijk - 7
Pretty faultless in the first half. Similar after the break and was a cool head in the closing stages when West Ham were on top. | Getty Images