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Liverpool delivered another masterclass performance, dismantling West Ham United 5-0 at the London Stadium. Arne Slot's side showcased their relentless attacking prowess, extending their lead over Arsenal in the Premier League standings to a commanding nine points.
Early resilience from West Ham
West Ham, under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui, entered the match in good form and began with high intensity, backed by a boisterous crowd of over 60,000 fans. Lucas Paquetá came close to giving the Hammers the lead, but the Brazilian failed to capitalize on his chance, letting Liverpool off the hook.
As countless teams have learned this season, failing to punish Liverpool is a costly mistake. Slot’s team quickly found their rhythm, seizing control of the match.
Liverpool takes control
Luis Díaz opened the scoring with a bit of luck. After his initial through ball was blocked, the ball fell kindly to his feet, and the Colombian smashed it past the West Ham goalkeeper to make it 1-0. Liverpool didn’t stop there. Moments later, Cody Gakpo doubled the lead following a dazzling piece of skill from Mohamed Salah, whose footwork turned West Ham’s defense inside out before setting up the Dutchman. Salah himself added the third, cutting inside and firing a low shot into the near post, effectively ending the contest before halftime. The West Ham faithful, known for their high expectations, greeted the halftime whistle with resigned boos, recognizing that their team had been outclassed despite their best efforts.
Liverpool runs riot in the second half
Any hopes of a West Ham comeback were extinguished early in the second half. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-range effort took a deflection off a West Ham defender, wrong-footing the keeper to make it 4-0. From there, both teams seemed content to coast through the remaining minutes, with Liverpool conserving energy after a grueling year. However, the visitors had one more highlight to offer. In the dying moments, substitute Diogo Jota rounded off a swift counterattack to make it 5-0. Salah provided the assist, bringing his Premier League tally to a stunning 13 assists and 17 goals for the season, underlining his vital role in Liverpool’s dominance.
Premier League title race all but decided?
As 2024 draws to a close, Liverpool’s dominance in the Premier League is evident. Slot’s team appears untouchable, sitting well above the rest of the league with a combination of attacking brilliance, defensive solidity, and squad depth. West Ham, despite their spirited start, could do little against Liverpool’s firepower. The match showcased the vast gap between the league leaders and the chasing pack, leaving no doubt about who the team to beat is this season. Liverpool will look to carry this momentum into the new year as they close in on what seems to be an inevitable Premier League title. For now, they stand head and shoulders above the rest, with the league firmly in their grasp.
