PLAYER RATINGS: Soucek endures a tough day while Jordan Henderson handles danger man Michail Antonio
Liverpool‘s fantastic week continued as Jurgen Klopp’s champions recorded back-to-back wins thanks to magic from Mohamed Salah to down a high-flying West Ham side at the London Stadium.
The Reds visited east London off the back of a strong win at Spurs and despite fielding a patched up side, Klopp’s men showed their quality in bagging a trio of classy goals with Salah hitting a brace before Georginio Wijnaldum scored the third.
Here, Sportsmail rates the performances of each side as Liverpool moved within four points of Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Liverpool’s fantastic week continued as the patched-up champions beat West Ham on Sunday
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1)
LUKASZ FABIANSKI 6
Could do nothing to prevent either of Salah’s stunning goals. Had very little to do otherwise.
VLADIMIR COUFAL 6
Limited Robertson’s attacking influence but quiet at the other end, one dangerous free kick aside.
CRAIG DAWSON 6.5
Made a vital block from Shaqiri’s first-half shot and missed a good headed chance before late consolation.
Craig Dawson netted a late consolation goal and did well to black a Xherdan Shaqiri effort
ANGELO OGBONNA 6
Made no eye-catching errors and limited Liverpool’s joy in central areas. Helpless for both goals.
AARON CRESSWELL 5
Made a vital last-ditch block from Salah but then allowed him to cut inside for the opener. Rare opportunity to deliver created Dawson’s goal.
TOMAS SOUCEK 5
Had a tough afternoon trying to get the ball off Liverpool’s midfield diamond. His attacking threat was twice snuffed out by Henderson.
Tomas Soucek struggled to make an impression against Liverpool’s diamond midfield
Jarrod Bowen was unable to make an impact on the ball but created a chance for Antonio
DECLAN RICE 5
Spent most of the afternoon attempting to put out fires as Liverpool dominated the ball and eyed space between the lines.
JARROD BOWEN 5
Quiet with the ball but kept busy without it by Robertson. One rare venture forward created a glorious opportunity for Antonio
SAID BENRAHMA 5
Largely fed off scraps from the No 10 position – tried and failed several early balls for Antonio. One great shooting chance taken off his toes by Thiago.
PABLO FORNALS 5.5
His early shot – headed off the line– was closest West Ham came in first half. Otherwise struggled to make an impact in attack.
Danger man Antonio worked tirelessly against the Reds backline but missed a crucial chance
MICHAIL ANTONIO 6
Tireless in efforts to turn Liverpool’s back line. But had one chance and curled it wide moments before Salah’s vital opener.
SUBS:
ANDRIY YARMOLENKO (Fornals, 62) 5.5 – Struggled to make an impact as the game ran away from West Ham.
RYAN FREDERICKS (Bowen, 79) 6
MARK NOBLE (Antonio, 79) – 6
MANAGER: DAVID MOYES – 5.5
Will rue his side’s inability to test Liverpool’s makeshift backline more often. But visitors’ diamond rendered them spectators for much of the afternoon.
David Moyes will rue his side’s inability to test Liverpool’s makeshift back four on Sunday
LIVERPOOL (4-3-1-2)
ALISSON 6
Had little to do as visitors controlled the ball. Saved Antonio’s first-half header when called upon.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 6.5
Left occasionally exposed down the Liverpool right by a floating Thiago but looks revitalised as an attacking threat.
NAT PHILLIPS 7
Another assured performance. Made one brilliant first-half header clear as four West Ham bodies attacked a free kick.
Youngster Nat Phillips gave another assured performance against West Ham’s physical attack
Jordan Henderson handled the threat of Soucek and Antonio superbly from centre back
JORDAN HENDERSON 7.5
Handled the threat of Soucek and Antonio brilliantly. His pinpoint through ball also created a second-half chance for Salah.
ANDY ROBERTSON 6.5
Headed Fornals’ shot off the line and largely neutralised Bowen’s threat with his own ventures forward.
THIAGO 6.5
Eye-of-the-needle pass set up Origi for first-half chance. Incisive as ever in possession and nicked a chance off Benrahma’s toes.
GINI WIJNALDUM 7
Largely untested defensively as Liverpool controlled the ball. Added icing to the cake with third goal after brilliant work from Firmino.
Georginio Wijnaldum controlled the midfield and added the icing on the cake with the third
JAMES MILNER 6.5
Busy and tenacious without the ball, also often only Liverpool midfielder to stretch West Ham’s back four with runs beyond the forwards.
XHERDAN SHAQIRI 7
Showed neat feet and flashes of quality but was largely quiet until his fabulous first-time pass created Salah’s second goal.
MO SALAH 9
Came alive after quiet first half with stunning double. Looked back to his best with two goals both marked by genius.
DIVOCK ORIGI 6.5
Failed to convert a couple of first-half chances. But was busy and did well to create a glorious chance for Salah.
Mohamed Salah got back on the scoresheet with two stunning goals in the second half
The Egyptian finished a Shaqiri pass exquisitely with a deft dink over Lukasz Fabianski
SUBS:
CURTIS JONES (Milner, 57) 8
What an impact. His driving run and pass set up Salah’s opener. Then started the counter for Liverpool’s second.
ROBERTO FIRMINO (Shaqiri, 69) 7
Helped Liverpool kill the game with brilliant assist for Wijnaldum’s third.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN (Origi 80) 7
Lovely flick as he combined with Firmino for Wijnaldum’s goal.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP 8
Seems to have steered his side back into the groove. Diamond worked brilliantly and all three substitutions made an impact.
Jurgen Klopp appears to have steered his side back into form and the diamond worked well
