West Ham 0-2 Liverpool: Alexander Isak scored after 10 minutes from Codi Gakpo’s cross, and the Dutchman added another in the second half after Lucas Paqueta was sent off.
Alexander Isak scored Liverpool’s first Premier League goal to lead the Reds to victory against West Ham. The Swede scored with an hour left on the clock to seal all three points for Arne Slott’s side.
That came after he missed two chances in the first half. Liverpool hoped it would be a turning point for the team and him, replacing him with Hugo Ekitike as soon as his name appeared on the scoresheet.
Kodi Gakpo chested Joe Gomez’s pass and smashed it home from inside the box, safely scoring in the closing stages.
West Ham were unable to test Alisson’s goal with enough regularity, but the Reds secured a result that brought them within one point of Champions League qualification.
Lucas Paqueta was sent off for dissent before Gakpo’s strike, leaving Nuno with food for thought, with the Hammers still perilously close to the relegation zone.
Here’s everything you need to know about the London Stadium.
read more: Liverpool face further frustration over Marc Gehi transfer as rivals come full circleread more: Arne Slott given transfer option for Mar Gehi as Liverpool’s defensive problems loom
Irons honors Legend Bonds
There was a somber atmosphere at the London Stadium before kick-off following the sad death of West Ham legend Billy Bonds.
The iconic former player and manager has died at the age of 79, with the news announced just hours before the game against Liverpool.
Tributes were heard from afar, and a minute of applause was given before the game started. Current captain Jarrod Bowen held up a shirt with Bonds’ name and his iconic number four on it before it was placed in front of the stands.
There was even more applause in the fourth minute for one of West Ham’s most legendary figures.
Isaac finally becomes a director
It hasn’t worked out at all for Liverpool’s Alexander Isak until today. And, even more worryingly, it didn’t seem particularly likely that someone would click on it right away.
He looked like a shadow of the player who had scored 52 goals for Newcastle over the past two seasons, sparking a lengthy transfer row that ultimately saw him move to Anfield for £125m.
Isak had just scored his only goal in the Carabao Cup since moving to Merseyside. This was his 11th appearance for the Reds, although pre-season absences have been cited as a reason for his slow start.
He fired high and wide from the edge of the area early on, but his close-range effort late in the first half was denied by a smart stop from Alphonse Areola.
However, after the break, he will finally have his moment in the sun, which Liverpool fans will hope will kick-start his and their season.
He scored his first Premier League goal in Liverpool colors when he put the Reds ahead with an hour left on the clock from a Cody Gakpo pass and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Slot makes Salah decision
Mohamed Salah has scored five goals in 18 appearances so far this season, but his return for the season has been modest. But it was still a big decision for Arne Slott to keep the talisman on the bench.
Salah has scored 250 goals for the Reds since joining in 2017, and last season he scored 34 goals in all competitions to help them win their second Premier League title.
Even when goalscorer Isak was sent off in the 67th minute, Slott preferred Hugo Ekitike to join the Reds’ attack. Maybe, just maybe, slots are looking to the future and finding ways to win without star turns.
Paqueta’s crazy moment
Lucas Paqueta is a great football player to watch on his day. However, his temper is starting to outweigh his talent.
He had just returned from suspension and once again told himself he would be given his marching orders with six minutes left.
He began complaining about a free kick awarded to Liverpool and was cautioned by the referee for protesting. Despite attempts by teammates and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to restrain him, he continued to fight and was eventually sent off.
Paqueta owes his teammates and coach a deep apology for ending his hopes of returning to action.
Crisis, what crisis?
Such is the nature of this season’s Premier League, and this result moved Liverpool within one point of qualifying for the Champions League.
Arne Slott won’t be too elated after the 1-0 win over West Ham, but he knows it will calm some of the skeptics who had even begun to say he was close to being sacked. After the game, his name was sung loudly by the visiting supporters.
The Reds’ next two games will be against newly promoted Sunderland and Leeds. Take six points from them and things will suddenly look rosier in Anfield’s garden.
Nuno reality check
West Ham had taken seven points from their last three Premier League games prior to this game and had moved out of the bottom three and had just turned the corner.
But such was their start under Graham Potter, they remain in deep trouble and remain so after this defeat. The Hammers can thank Phil Foden for his late winner against Leeds yesterday or they will find themselves back in the bottom three.
They sit in 17th place on goal difference, but have the all-around scrap to maintain their top-flight status after a largely lackluster attacking display here.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Foo tball content daily. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£43
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
