Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo saw Liverpool secure an important three points at West Ham United this weekend, moving the Reds up to eighth spot in the Premier League.
Under-pressure Arne Slot really needed to stop the rot and his side performed well here, with Mohamed Salah out of the team and Florian Wirtz impressing. Next up, Sunderland comes to Anfield and then the Reds travel to Leeds United.
There are still more questions that Slot needs to answer, but this was certainly a step in the right direction for Liverpool. Here is how some of the UK national media rounded up the action at the London Stadium.
BBC Sport: "Swedish frontman Isak — whose only other Liverpool goal this term came in the Carabao Cup game against Southampton in September — had opportunities before his instinctive finish, having a close-ranged hooked finish saved well by Alphonse Areola.
"But the relief was evident as he netted his sixth goal in seven league appearances against the Hammers. Wirtz was also denied his first goal since his £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen with a weak low finish saved by Areola after being teed up by Gakpo.
"Liverpool looked more organised and composed in this shape, with more threat further forward, and this is the sort of performance and result that will do wonders for confidence, particularly that of Isak and Wirtz after their previous below-par displays."
Daily Mail: "Wirtz enjoyed his finest league game in a Liverpool shirt. Those who sat through footage of the midfielder playing for Bayer Leverkusen saw a special footballer with magic feet.
Alexander Isak celebrates scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool.
(Image: Getty Images)
"Liverpool fans, however, may have been wondering whether an imposter had been shipped from Germany as he has not reproduced that level at all yet.
"But this was much better. He was receiving the ball on the half-turn, popping up in all sorts of dangerous positions and making things happen with punchy passes through the lines.
"He still waits for his first Premier League goal or assist but he was involved in everything good about Liverpool here until he perhaps tired slightly after the break after a recent injury."
The Guardian: "For long spells nothing happened. At one point it was so quiet you could hear a distant plane droning by. But Liverpool will not care.
"Sometimes you have to get back on the horse however you can, and if that requires a stepladder, an awkward bunk from a scornful stablehand and an ungainly scramble into the saddle, so be it.
Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz during the Premier League game against West Ham.
Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz impressed against West Ham. (Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"Any sort of victory is welcome after six defeats in their past seven league games, and one in which Britain’s most expensive player finally scores his first league goal for the club even more so.
"As Liverpool’s wobble became a blip became a slump, the question was asked: what would it take for Mohamed Salah to be left out? The answer, it turned out, was three or more goals conceded in three successive games for the first time in 75 years. At some point, a flair player who leaves his full-back exposed is a luxury a team can no longer afford.
"Liverpool’s shape returned to 4‑2‑3-1, with Dominik Szoboszlai taking Salah’s place on the right. There was no danger of the industrious Hungarian not doing the legwork to protect Joe Gomez.
"Liverpool will surely improve. Confidence will return. At least some of the new signings will settle and they will adapt to the new shape. Liverpool will celebrate the win, but this was a poor game of football."
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The Telegraph: "Was this the first proper glimpse of Liverpool 2.0? The first sign that Arne Slot’s costly evolution is, at last, beginning to take shape?
"It certainly felt that way as Slot dropped Mohamed Salah to his bench and instead successfully built his team’s attack around the £240 million duo of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
"Are Liverpool back? Let’s not go that far. They were hardly at their thrilling best here. But after a run of nine defeats in 12 matches, this victory in the capital feels like discovering water after days in the desert."
The Athletic: "There’s a long way back for the defending champions as they look to save their season, but this was certainly a step in the right direction.
"Not only were Liverpool clinical in front of goal, as they converted two of only a small number of chances created, they were also resilient and showed a togetherness that had disappeared in previous weeks."