Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United
We expected goals at Anfield this afternoon and Premier League: Liverpool vs West Ham didn’t disappoint, but it was a tighter game than Reds fans will have hoped for and it took a late goal from substitute Diogo Jota for the champions to claim all three points.
The Liverpool vs West Ham betting odds had the hosts at 1.36 to win, but David Moyes’ team put up a real fight and will feel unlucky not to have seen out the game for a draw.
The Hammers managed to upset Manchester City last week, taking a point off Liverpool’s title rivals and they went ahead within ten minutes through Pablo Fornals, before Mo Salah levelled from the penalty spot just before the break.
It could have gone either way in the second half as the excellent Fornals continued to threaten the Reds defence, but Jota had the last word as he fired Liverpool top of the league.
Highlights of the game
In the absence of the injured Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho, 23 year old Nat Phillips was handed a start at centre back by Jurgen Klopp, alongside the more experienced Joe Gomez. But it was the established first-teamer who made the gaffe which handed the Hammers the perfect start. Arthur Masuaku swung a ball into the box but Gomez fluffed his clearance straight into the path of Pablo Fornals who took a touch and then slid the ball home just inside the left hand post.
The Reds tried to respond and began to crank the pressure up, and they came close on 25 minutes when Mo Salah teed up Jordan Henderson and he curled a first time effort just wide. But they had to wait until three minutes before the break before levelling thanks to a defensive clanger by the visitors. Salah picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area and, under no real pressure, Masuaku caught his foot and the Egyptian fell to the ground.
Salah is in fine scoring form and he beat Lukasz Fabianski, hammering the ball down the centre of the goal for his seventh of the league season.
West Ham’s goal-scorer had another presentable chance early in the second half when Masuaku sent in a low cross from the right, but this time Fornals couldn’t get enough power or direction on his effort to trouble Alisson. Liverpool struggled to gather momentum through the second half while West Ham carried a continual threat and Andy Robertson had to get in a vital block to deny Fornals.
At the other end of the pitch Robertson forced a save from Fabianski from a tight angle and then, with just six minutes left on the clock, Liverpool got their goal. The ball pinged around the West Ham penalty area and then Xherdan Shaqiri threaded a ball through for Jota who fired high into the net for the winner.
Key statistics
Liverpool are now unbeaten in their last 63 home games, equaling a club record dating back to 1980.
But the Reds’ defence is giving chances, and with the injury to Van Dijk that will be a concern to Klopp. Liverpool had conceded just 21 goals at the point they clinched the 2020 title and they have already shipped 15 in the first seven games of this campaign.
Only Aston Villa have conceded more goals in their first seven games as reigning champions, when they let in 17 goals way back in 1897!
What’s next?
On Tuesday Liverpool are away to Atalanta in a Champions League Group D match which will decide which team leads the group at the half way stage. The Reds are currently top with two victories, while the Serie A side is second with a win and a draw under their belts. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is full of goals, and they bagged another win today away to Crotone, which moved them up to second in the Italian top flight. Luis Muriel is a dangerous striker and he scored twice to win the points and will be a real threat to Liverpool’s depleted defence.
And then we have the epic Premier League clash to look forward to next weekend when the Reds head across to the Etihad to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The Sky Blues beat Sheffield United today to take their season tally to 11 points, two behind the leaders as at the start of the day. It was a hard earned win for City and their fans will have watched the Liverpool vs West Ham updates with more than a passing interest.
Next up West Ham are at home to Fulham in a match their fans will expect to win, having impressed against the top sides in recent weeks.
Here at SBOTOP we’ll be back with all the latest news as it unfolds and, in the meantime we have more top flight football to enjoy tomorrow, including the game of the day at Old Trafford where Manchester United entertain Arsenal.
The Red Devils are marginal favourites to win at odds of 2.05, with Arsenal at 3.40 and it promises to be a cracker…not a game to miss.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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