Troy Deeney has named a Liverpool player in his Team of the Week after their 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday.
The Reds went into the game at the London Stadium on the back of poor form, having suffered heavy home defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV and a three-goal loss to Manchester City away from home.
However, Arne Slot’s side managed to secure the three points, exposing glaring issues in the West Ham side.
Nuno Espirito Santo after Bournemouth v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Troy Deeney names Cody Gakpo in Team of the Week
Troy Deeney named Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo in his Premier League Team of the Week.
The Netherlands attacker looked lively all game against West Ham United and found the back of the net in stoppage time to secure all three points.
By the time he scored, the Hammers were down to ten men as Lucas Paqueta picked up a red card.
Gakpo also provided an assist for Alexander Isak and looked the most lively of Liverpool’s attackers on the day.
Deeney labelled him “excellent” and believes that he has grown in confidence and is extremely important to the Reds.
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He told the BBC: “While there were a lot of changes for Liverpool at West Ham – Mohamed Salah being the biggest one – Gakpo has been the consistent bright spark. He got an assist for Alexander Isak’s goal – a wonderful cutback – and has looked to add more goals after 18 last season.
“I think something probably labelled at him was that he was a bit one-dimensional, but he has grown in confidence. Not the same type of player as Luis Diaz, but still able to deliver, and I thought he was excellent this weekend.”
Lucas Paqueta sent off during West Ham United vs Liverpool
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How West Ham can bounce back after the Liverpool defeat
It’s important for the Hammers not to dwell on the result and look ahead rather than in the rear-view mirror.
Yes, there were things Nuno would not have been pleased with, including Paqueta’s red card and some defensive errors, but he will have addressed that and it’s going to be a different game against Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim’s side suffered a defeat at home to Everton despite being a man up and that’s something the West Ham United manager should remind his players of.
It is never easy to visit Old Trafford and get a result, but it is also not as hard as it used to be in the past.
A quick start and a few early chances will immediately put the hosts on the back foot and Nuno will be hoping for just that.
He would want a positive response and will be keeping tabs on Crysencio Summerville’s fitness in the build-up to the game.
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