Liverpool great Mohamed Salah was dropped by Arne Slot as they ended their latest losing streak at West Ham
Liverpool players celebrate Alexander Isak's goal against West Ham
Liverpool celebrated a landmark 2-0 win over West Ham United despite Arne Slot ignoring his coaches' advice on Florian Wirtz
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Everything you need to know
Crucial Victory for Liverpool : Liverpool secured a vital 2-0 win against West Ham United at the London Stadium. Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ensured the Reds took all three points in a confident display.
Manager Ignores Staff Advice: Arne Slot admitted he went against the direct recommendations of his performance staff regarding Florian Wirtz. The medical team had urged him to substitute the player earlier to prevent further injury issues.
Wirtz's Injury Concerns: The German midfielder had missed the previous two games due to an injury and had only trained once before this match. His lack of preparation made his extensive playing time a significant risk for the manager.
Staff Wanted Early Substitution: Fitness coaches repeatedly told Slot during the game that Wirtz needed to come off because he had been out for over a week. They were worried about pushing him too hard, given his limited recovery time.
Star Performance: Despite the fitness concerns, Wirtz delivered what was arguably his best performance since joining the club for £116million this past summer. He was instrumental in midfield, helping the team find space and maintain possession effectively.
Delayed Substitution: Slot eventually replaced Wirtz with Curtis Jones in the 75th minute. The manager felt the specific demands of the game required Wirtz's creativity for that extended period.
Isak Breaks Goal Drought: Alexander Isak scored the opening goal, marking his first league goal for Liverpool since his £125m transfer from Newcastle. It was a calm finish that relieved pressure on the forward and gave his team the lead.
Slot Defends His Striker: Slot defended Isak's recent form, noting the striker hasn't played many minutes recently due to various reasons. He emphasised how important it was for Isak's confidence to score just before being substituted.
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