Liverpool made it five league wins in a row by beating West Ham 3-1 thanks to goals from Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Goals
Salah 16′ (pen)
Bowen 42′
Nunez 60′ (assistant: Mac Allister)
Jota 85′ (pass: Van Dijk)
It was Liverpool’s first choice again after Thursday’s Europa League squad changes, bringing back eight players.
That meant it was the same lineup, minus the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, as the Reds’ last home game against Aston Villa, with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz in attack.
However, West Ham started well and required an impressive save from Alisson early on.
The visitors saw plenty of the ball early on, but Liverpool broke through for Diaz and Nunez and Aguerd tipped a penalty over Salah’s stone wall, which the Egyptian duly converted. Liverpool looked to be in control, but just before half-time Jarrod Bowe equalized with a superb header from the right.
Curtis Jones had the ball in the net moments later but was offside, while Nunez forced Salah’s cross to be cleared.
Half time: Liverpool 1-1 West Ham
Liverpool should have taken the lead shortly after half-time when a patient team finished with Nunez’s shockingly poor effort blasting wildly wide.
At the other end, Bowen was awarded a free-kick by James Ward-Prowse and Liverpool recklessly gave the manager plenty of chances around the box.
The game was the end of two good teams. The Reds regained the lead when Nunez showed great composure to gently finish Alexis Mac Allister’s brilliant cross at the Kop end.
This goal put Liverpool in a good mood and they really started to dominate the game, with Salah making some nice passes from distance.
Jurgen Klopp’s faith in new signing Ryan Gravenberch was boosted by bringing the Dutchman on his home debut for the final 15 minutes and the result was nicely even.
West Ham clawed their way back into the game but Liverpool sealed the victory when Van Dijk headed home Robertson’s corner and Diogo Jota, fresh off the bench, was there to tap home from close range as a poacher.
Keeping pace with Man City, who have won all of their first six league games, is not easy, but Liverpool have won five of their top six to stay on top. AUNT of parents: Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister (Endo 88′), Szoboszlai, Jones (Gravenberch 77′); Salah, Diaz (Jota 80′), Nunez (Steel 80′)
Choices: Kelleher, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas, Elliott
West Ham: Areolo; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Package, Anthony
Varus: Fabianski, Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Kudus, Benrahma, Fornals, Cornet, Engs
