Jamie Carragher has singled out two Liverpool players for praise following the Reds’ hard-fought victory over West Ham.
Liverpool ended its dreadful Premier League run with a 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday. Alexander Isak, who had faced criticism from fans in the first half at the London Stadium, quickly silenced doubters with a precise first-time finish. Florian Wirtz was among the standout performers, while Cody Gakpo contributed with a goal and an assist, and Joe Gomez helped stabilize a backline that had been vulnerable in recent weeks.
After the 4-1 home defeat to PSV, Carragher was critical of Ibrahima Konate, but on Sunday, Konate started in a back four alongside Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, and Gomez, helping Liverpool secure a much-needed clean sheet.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Carragher was quick to praise both Konate and Kerkez for staying mistake-free throughout the full 90 minutes.
He said: "If you keep it really simple about Liverpool today - don’t concede from a set piece, no big mistake at the back from maybe Konate or Kerkez, and one of your summer signings is outstanding.
"If they keep that up in the next few weeks, they could find themselves right in the middle of the Champions League positions.
"A million miles off the title race, but just to calm everything down, Liverpool need to be in those positions.
"If they ever got to a position where that was in real doubt, that would be the time when it would really intensify the pressure on the manager."
Ibrahima Konate
Jamie Carragher was quick to praise Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez after the West Ham victory (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Carragher also praised Isak for his key contribution to Liverpool’s victory, lauding the striker’s composure in the penalty area on a difficult chance. He emphasized how pivotal the moment could be for Isak as he looks to finally kickstart his career at Anfield.
"It was a big moment for him," Carragher told Sky Sports post-match. "He had a couple of chances first half and one he should have done better with. Isak does really well. He finds space in the box, and it's not easy to find space with so many numbers in there.
"West Ham have probably got everyone back behind the ball. He drops off the defenders there, and it's a lovely, cushioned finish.
"It's one of those that just bounces, and then he gets a really good contact on it."
Arne Slot’s side return to action midweek with Sunderland visiting Anfield, followed by an away trip to Elland Road against Leeds.
Sunday’s win over West Ham leaves Liverpool just three points off the top four, hinting that a run of positive results could help the Reds regain momentum in their season.