Goals from Alexander Isak and Codi Gakpo earned Liverpool three points against West Ham United, bouncing back from midweek’s disastrous defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Arne Slott admitted that Alexander Isak’s first Premier League goal for Liverpool was important for him and the club. Swedish striker Isak completed a £125m long-term move from Newcastle in the summer, but he only scored one goal in the Carabao Cup.
However, his stunning strike against the Hammers and Kodi Gakpo’s stoppage time goal led champions Liverpool to a long-awaited 2-0 victory after they had lost nine of their 12 games in all competitions.
“It’s very important for us as a team to go up 1-0, but I think it was also important for him because I think it was his third or fourth chance in the game,” Reds head coach Slott said. “I don’t think he had 10 minutes left, so it was important for him to score just before you got sent off, not just for us.”
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Slott took drastic action to halt that alarming decline by dropping Mohamed Salah in place of Isak. It was a big decision, and the first time the Egyptian striker has not been included in the Premier League starting XI since the 2-2 draw against West Ham in April 2024.
On that day, Salah got into a physical altercation with manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline and was substituted in the closing stages. Things didn’t improve at all this time, and Slott replaced Isak with Hugo Ekitike immediately after the goal.
“Mo has had an incredible career at this club and he’s a very special player, so I think he’s going to have a very good future at this club. We have four games in 10 days and we only have 14 or 15 outfield players available. Sometimes you have to decide on a certain lineup and you try to pick the best lineup for every game,” Slott added.
Liverpool deserved to win but, as usual, they were saved by West Ham who rolled out the claret and blue carpet for teams in trouble. There was also a ridiculous red card for Lucas Paqueta, with the Brazilian being challenged by referee Darren England and sent off for a second groan, making him duly sent off.
Hammers coach Nuno Espirito Santo said, “I think we started the game well. We needed more accuracy with our crosses and shots. But we were in the game. It was disappointing the way we conceded the goal. But we kept trying until the end.”
The defeat came just hours after the death of West Ham great Billy Bond was announced.
Nuno added: “We felt like we wanted to do something else that could honor Billy Bonds’ memory, but that wasn’t the case.”
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