Matters are looking better and better for Liverpool as the Premier League leaders face a Sunday evening trip to West Ham.
Arne Slot’s side are flying high at the top of the table, looking full of confidence and flow even amid some contract wrangling off the pitch. An early dent at Leicester proved little impediment as Liverpool again showed off their attacking prowess in a 3-1 victory that, with Chelsea dropping points, extended their advantage at the top with a game still in hand after the Merseyside derby’s postponement earlier this month. The futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk may be in some degree of doubt but there is certainty over their club’s place as red-hot title favourites.
Hoping to throw their charging visitors off course will be a West Ham side beginning, perhaps, to gel under Julen Lopetegui. The sack appeared to loom for the Spanish manager ahead of the meeting with Wolves early in December but it is now four games unbeaten after the narrow win at Southampton on Boxing Day. Can they lift their level and provide Liverpool with a stiff challenge?
Follow all of the latest from the London Stadium in our live blog below:
West Ham 0-5 Liverpool
90 mins: No prizes for picking the player of the match: it’s Salah.
A goal, two assists and three points for Liverpool. We’re into four minutes added on.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 19:06
GOAL! West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (JOTA 84’)
Another for Liverpool! They put five past West Ham for the second time this season.
It’s a goal for Diogo Jota, but it’s incredible from Salah again. He dances through the West Ham defence, who can’t get near him. Salah sets up Jota and the first-time finish flies past Areola.
Salah is up to 17 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League this season, and it’s December.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 19:00
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
80 mins: West Ham were four unbeaten before today but the pressure will be back on Julen Lopetegui once again at full-time.
West Ham have already lost 5-1 to Liverpool this season, as well as 5-2 to Arsenal, 4-1 to Tottenham, 3-1 to Man City and 3-0 to Chelsea.
Apart from the Spurs game and previous defeat to Liverpool in the cup, they’ve all been at home, too.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 18:56
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
77 mins: Another chance for Salah! Expertly picked out by Alexander-Arnold, Salah smashes the shot over the bar on the half-volley.
At the other end, Kudus shoots and his deflected shot misses Wan-Bissaka at the back post and drifts wide.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 18:53
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
75mins: A bit better from West Ham, and Kudus hits the woodwork for the second time! His header strikes the crossbar. The flag was up anyway, but it looked close.
Liverpool haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League since October so they will want to hold on here.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 18:51
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
71 mins: Diogo Jota looks hungry to get in on the action. He is denied by Areola, after a weak punch from the goalkeeper.
Tsimikas and Elliott are next on for Liverpool. Off come Robertson and Jones.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 18:48
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
Salah is now up into the top 10 of all-time Premier League assists, too. He passes David Beckham and is only 11 behind Steven Gerrard.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 18:46
West Ham 0-4 Liverpool
66 mins: Penalty? There are faint appeals from West Ham as Summerville looks to beat Quansah around the outside and goes down under some pressure. Nothing given.
Salah curls one wide at the other end – still plenty of goals in this for Liverpool if they want it.
Jamie Braidwood29 December 2024 18:42
