Liverpool vs West Ham Report

Scorers: Diaz 18’, van Dijk 89’; Robertson (OG) 86’

Liverpool moved a step closer to securing a historic 20th top-flight title following a narrow 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Anfield – a result that extends the Reds’ extraordinary home dominance over the Hammers, who have now won just once in their last 58 visits to L4.

Salah Sets the Tone on Historic Afternoon

With rivals Arsenal dropping points the previous day, Liverpool entered this contest knowing that victory would put them firmly in control of the Premier League title race. And it was talisman Mohamed Salah – fresh from penning a new contract extension in midweek – who sparked early celebrations among the Anfield faithful.

The Egyptian star turned provider in the 18th minute, threading a perfectly weighted pass through the West Ham defence for Luis Díaz to calmly slot home. That assist was Salah’s 18th of the campaign, and his 45th Premier League goal contribution this season – a new record for a 38-game top-flight season.

Hammers Threaten But Fail to Capitalise

To their credit, West Ham responded well to going behind and had several chances to equalise before the break. Carlos Soler saw a one-on-one effort denied by Alisson, while Mohammed Kudus nearly caught the Brazilian off his line with an audacious lob that was just about tipped onto the crossbar.

James Ward-Prowse also came close on the stroke of half-time, delivering a trademark corner that Konstantinos Mavropanos headed narrowly over – a moment that would have shifted the momentum heading into the second period.

Second-Half Intensity and Late Drama

Liverpool came out firing after the restart, with Alexis Mac Allister unleashing a thunderous long-range strike that required a fingertip save from Alphonse Areola to keep the deficit at one. The Reds looked poised to double their advantage, but a spell of wastefulness allowed the visitors back into the contest.

Soler and Jarrod Bowen both spurned golden chances, the latter denied expertly by Alisson after being played through by Lucas Paquetá. As fatigue crept into Liverpool’s game, West Ham began to take control, and their pressure finally told in the 82nd minute. Virgil van Dijk’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Andrew Robertson and into the net, levelling the scores and silencing the Anfield crowd momentarily.

But champions find ways to win, and Liverpool responded as they so often do under pressure. In the 88th minute, Mac Allister delivered a pinpoint corner that Van Dijk rose to meet, powering a header past Areola to restore the Reds’ lead and seal the three points.

Title Within Reach for Arne Slot’s Men

This victory marks Arne Slot’s 36th in just 50 matches at the helm and sees Liverpool move 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League with only six games remaining. The result also extends the Reds’ unbeaten home streak when leading at half-time to a remarkable 153 matches – a run dating back to 2009.

While West Ham showed resilience and moments of quality, their winless record at Anfield continues, and their hopes of a late-season surge into the European places suffered another blow.

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Liverpool v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League