Liverpool secured a vital 2-0 Premier League victory against West Ham United at the London Stadium, with Alexander Isak scoring his first league goal for the club since his acrimonious £135 million move from Newcastle.
Tactical Shift Pays Off for Struggling Reds
For long periods, the match was a quiet affair, but Liverpool will be relieved with any sort of win after suffering six defeats in their previous seven league games. Manager Arne Slot made a significant tactical decision, dropping Mohamed Salah from the starting lineup for the first time this season following a run where the team conceded three or more goals in three consecutive matches.
The team shifted to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dominik Szoboszlai taking Salah's place on the right to offer more defensive protection for Joe Gomez. Florian Wirtz operated as the central creator, though the £100m+ signing from Bayer Leverkusen is yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League.
Isak's Moment of Relief
Isak, making his fifth start of the season, came close to breaking his duck in the first half with a spectacular falling volley, but West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola produced an excellent save. The decisive moment finally arrived on the hour mark.
A Liverpool corner was half-cleared, Wirtz showed composure to find Alexis Mac Allister, and his cutback was fired home first-time by Isak. It was the finish of a high-class striker, offering a glimpse of why Liverpool broke their transfer record to sign him.
Gakpo Seals the Points
The match was sealed in stoppage time when Cody Gakpo added a second goal with a smart swivel and finish. West Ham's frustrations were compounded when Lucas Paquetá was sent off after receiving two quick yellow cards for dissent.
This was only Liverpool's second league win in 71 days, a statistic that highlights their recent struggles. While the performance was far from perfect, the three points and Isak's long-awaited goal provide a crucial platform for the team to rebuild confidence and adapt to Slot's preferred system.
