Alan Shearer says a bold move from Liverpool head coach Arne Slot paved the way for the Reds to earn the three points against West Ham United in the Premier League.
Slot opted to take Mohamed Salah out of his starting XI, bringing in Florian Wirtz. Alexander Isak played as the number nine and opened the scoring, while Cody Gakpo assisted and then netted one himself.
Liverpool was level at the break but then moved in front and when Lucas Paqueta was sent off, Gakpo was able to seal the victory in second half stoppage time, firing home in front of the traveling fans.
"It was a big call by Slot to leave Salah out today, but I guess it is made easier by Liverpool's results — when things aren't going for you, you have to make big decisions," Shearer, speaking with the BBC, said.
"And that was a big one today because of what he's done for Liverpool in the past, but Salah can't complain because he hasn't been playing well, and when that's the case, then you have to accept the decision.
"It has worked for Liverpool... and it has worked for Isak too, because he was the difference."
Alexander Isak shakes hands with Arne Slot after coming off in Liverpool's vital 2-0 victory at West Ham
Alexander Isak shakes hands with Arne Slot after coming off in Liverpool's vital 2-0 victory at West Ham (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Isak had scored for Liverpool before, but only in the League Cup against Southampton. This was his first goal in the Premier League since a $169 million (£125 million) transfer from Newcastle in the summer.
"I've been waiting for it and chasing it [his first Premier League goal for Liverpool]," Isak told Match of the Day at the final whistle. "Sometimes it takes longer than you expect but happy to score a goal and help towards the win today.
"It's never easy, as a striker, you need momentum. Sometimes you go through these patches, but hopefully this will be helpful towards building good form. We defended really well and scored twice so happy days."
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Liverpool plays Sunderland and Leeds United later this week, with Slot set to face more difficult choices in the coming games.
"We play four games in 10 days. I have many good players and today, I chose a different line up," he said live on Sky Sports before the West Ham match.
"Sometimes, Florian and Alex have been on the bench. It is also about the players who start and that is the XI I chose."
Liverpool.com says: The obvious thing to do would be to keep things the same when the Reds take to the field on Wednesday. Wirtz looked really good here, and the balance was right. If Salah does come back in, he will have a point to prove.