Goals: Salah pen 16′, Nunez 60′, Jota 85′; Bowen 42′
Alisson – 7 (out of 10)
After Caoimh Kelleher’s duties on Wednesday, Alisson was brought straight into the game and Tomas Soucek’s ban after a foul on Alexis Mac Allister cost a fortune.
He smothered other half-chances with ease and will be disappointed to see another clean sheet, although he couldn’t have done much on Jarrod Bowen’s jump shot.
Joe Gomez – 8
Gomez’s duties were less mixed this time around with Trent Alexander-Arnold nursing a knee injury as he operated more as an orthodox right-back.
Some of his smarter runs were overlooked by his teammates, but he continued to be valuable as an overlapping presence by being strong defensively and winning 89 percent of his duels, per FotMob.
Joel Matip – 7
A surprise starter in a lineup that many expected otherwise, Matip replaced Ibrahima Konate and brilliantly withstood the challenge of Michail Antonio. He had much less to do as the game progressed, but that shouldn’t diminish his effectiveness; he stepped in and did great.
Virgil van Dijk – 8
Van Dijk was stoic and composed with Matip at the back but found himself on the back foot as West Ham grabbed their first-half equalizer through Bowen.
But with more of the game ahead of him, he was much more comfortable and dominated in the air – and the captain provided an assist when Diogo Jota made it 3-1 late on.
Andy Robertson – 7
With his role now clear, any questions about not signing a new left-sided centre-back in the summer appear to have been answered from the start of Robertson’s campaign.
The number of fouls he committed – a game high of three – could be worrying, especially as James Ward-Prowse’s goals are West Ham’s main source of supply. Alexis MacAllister – 8 (Man of the Match)
It speaks volumes for Jürgen Klopp’s faith in Wataru Endo that the manager prefers Mac Allister to learn at No.6, but Soucek’s chance to make an early mistake showed there is work to be done.
However, he grew into the game brilliantly with his determination to win the ball and his imagination when possession mattered as Liverpool took control, especially with his excellent assist to Darwin Nunez to make it 2-1.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
An ever-present in the Premier League, Szoboszlai made the move from Leipzig to Liverpool look easy, doing so on the left and right of midfield against West Ham as he and Curtis Jones traded freely.
He was certainly calmer than in recent games, although he still managed his battles with ease and skill, with more touches than any other player (102).
Curtis Jones – 7
Along with Szoboszlai, Jones maintained leadership and structure by alternating between key midfield roles and made a smart run that was denied along with the 8th goal. He was strong on the ball and his tenacity was a key factor in Liverpool’s change of pace after half-time.
A deserving starter ready for a tough challenge with Ryan Gravenberch, who replaced him with 13 minutes of game time.
Mohamed Salah – 8
It is now 13 games in a row where Salah has scored or assisted at least one goal – or 18, including Liverpool’s friendlies this season – and the number 11 is in top form.
He should also have helped keep Nunez down after a good display of strength and skill from his fellow striker.
At this point, Salah exudes confidence. A great player still at his peak.
Luis Diaz – 6
Bright, bold and outspoken, Diaz is so often the spark in Liverpool’s attack, his willingness to hunt down lost causes and win the ball when possible reminiscent of Sadio Manes.
His influence faded as the second half progressed, perhaps unsurprisingly as he played 90 minutes for LASK and was called up for a further 80 minutes three days later.
Darwin Nunez – 7
Popular choice to keep his place up front, Nunez was a handful from the start and his touch down the stretch set up Salah’s penalty winner.
Salah missed a great chance soon after the restart after some good work, but converted a much more difficult chance on the hour from Mac Allister’s lofted ball. Although he may have let those setbacks get to him early in his Liverpool career, Nunez now uses them as motivation.
Substitutes
Ryan Gravenberch (for Jones, 77′) – 6 – A quiet cameo from a player who shone in midweek.
Diogo Jota (Diazis, 80′) – 7 – Only 10 minutes, but it’s another season.
Cody Gakpo (Nunez, 80′) – 6 – Beats himself and a hard effort is blocked.
Wataru Endo (on for Mac Allister, 88′) – absent
Out: Kelleher, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas, Elliott
Jurgen Klopp – 9
Klopp made eight changes from the side that beat LASK on Thursday night, with Van Dijk, Diaz and Nunez the only players remaining at Anfield. It was closer to his strongest lineup then, as Diaz and Nunez decided to reward back-to-back pitches with smart starts as they build on their sharp form.
Both minutes could have been dire as the second half wore on – 90 minutes had been played three days earlier – but Klopp used his bench well late on.
Much of that comes from the options at his disposal, such as the entry of Jota and securing the three points.
Player Rating Definitions: 10 = Flawless | 9 = Excellent | 8 = Very Good | 7 = Good | 6 = average | 5 = under par | 4 = Bad | 3 = Very bad | 2 Terrible | 1 = definitely not
