Liverpool hammer down the Hammers

Before this match, there were talks about Salah’s, Gakpo’s and Ekitike’s lack of goals in the Premier League. 90 minutes and seven goals later, the Dutchman and the Frenchman don’t have to worry. They both scored each as Liverpool dismantled West Ham 5-2. Hugo Ekitike hasn't notched in his last four appearances while Cody Gakpo has netted only twice since the 2-0 Premier League win at West Ham back in November. Now only Mohamed Salah remains in goalscoring crisis but Arne Slot won’t mind the score anyway. The Reds had a dream season last year but this one is already the one to forget. Instead of title defense it turned into a Champions League place fight and with this win, they are currently tied with Manchester United, but with one game more.

Liverpool were clearly a better team today and used their chances, especially from corner kicks. The first three goals came from corner kicks and by the time the referee ended the first half, the game was already over. West Ham have their worries as they are deep in relegation fight so maybe they didn’t expect all three points at Anfield, but they did exploit weakness in Liverpool’s defense and have only themselves to blame for not making it 2-2 in the first half instead of 3-0. Coming from such a big deficit is all but impossible for even stronger teams than the Hammers.

The first goal of the game came after just four minutes. It was the first out of three goals scored in the first 45 minutes, all which came after corner kicks. It wasn’t actually a great chance as such, but rather an individual quality of Ekitike, who reacted instinctively and put the ball into the end for the lead. West Ham had their first opportunity minutes later, when Summerville's cross was met by Mavropanos, but the former Arsenal defender was not precise from close range. Just as West Ham managed to settle in, another set-piece and another goal. Szoboszlai's delivery was in towards Van Dijk who nodded past Hermansen, and it was 2-0. The best two chances for the visitors came after Liverpool’s errors. Alisson somehow managed to pass the ball directly to Bowen in the penalty area but West Ham captain didn’t manage to used it. Minutes later it was time for Gravenberch to make a wrong pass in his own penalty area, but Konate saved him and prevented a Summerville goal with a big block. Mac Allister punished all those misses in the 42nd minute with a goal after the third corner kick for Liverpool.

If there was any chance for West Ham, they gave themselves one at the right time, in the 48th minute. Fernandes' cross was cleared as far as Diouf at the back post.All the West Ham left-back did was to drill right across the box and Soucek was there unmarked to slide home. Gakpo made a stunning miss in the 53rd minute, as he was all alone a few meters away but the ball went wide of the post. West Ham played ‘all or nothing’ game but couldn’t score. Instead Gakpo finally got on the scoreboard in the 70th minute to put the game beyond any doubt. Liverpool sleepy defense conceded another one in the 75th minute, but the three points were never in doubt. Chelsea loanee Disasi scored an own goal in the 82nd minute to make it even worse and the Hammers continue their relegation fight.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 28

Friday

Wolves - Aston Villa 2-0 (0-0)

/Gomes 61, R. Gomez 90+8/

Saturday

Bournemouth - Sunderland 1-1 (0-1)

/Evanilson 63 - Mayenda 18/

Burnley - Brentford 3-4 (1-3)

/Kayote 45+3(og), Anthony 47, Flemming 60 - Thiago 25, Schade 34, Damsgaard 9, 90+3

Liverpool - West Ham 5-2 (3-0)

/Ekitike 5, Van Dijk 24, Mac Allister 43, Gakpo 70, Disasi (og) 82 - Soucek 49, Castellanos 75/

Newcastle - Everton 2-3 (1-2)

/Ramsey 32, Murphy 82 - Brantwaithe 18, Beto 34, Barry 83/

20.30: (5.35) Leeds (4.25) Manchester City (1.63)

Sunday

17.00: (2.15) Brighton (3.45) Nottingham Forest (3.50)

17.00: (2.15) Fulham (3.60) Tottenham (3.50)

17.00: (1.58) Manchester United (4.50) Crystal Palace (5.70)

19.30: (1.65) Arsenal (4.25) Chelsea (5.30)

***odds are subject to change***