The brilliant Mohamed Salah scored his 20th goal of the season as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points and a game in hand on their nearest challengers with a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham, Sky Sports report.
Arne Slot’s side had this away day won by half-time, with Luis Diaz capitalising on a deflection to give Liverpool a deserved lead before Salah took over, producing some clever skill to tee up Cody Gakpo and then grab his landmark strike just before the break.
His only frustration was not to leave London with at least a hat-trick after wasting a string of second-half openings – but his fantastic form was again on show as he dribbled from his own half to play in Diogo Jota for Liverpool’s fifth. Trent Alexander-Arnold had earlier seen a strike from distance divert in off Max Kilman on a night where nearly everything went Liverpool’s way.
This was a commanding victory which underlined Liverpool’s title-winning credentials and with next-best Nottingham Forest way back in second, Arsenal nine points adrift and Chelsea 10 behind, the Reds go into the New Year with the Premier League crown firmly in their sights.
Salah has been central to this title charge, despite uncertainty around his contractual situation. He has already surpassed his goal involvement totals for last season and has more goals and assists combined (52) than any player in Europe’s top leagues this term.
The standout player of this season so far was again at his electric best here and too hot to handle, particularly in the first half, even with West Ham specifically tasking Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a man-marking role and then switching to a five-man defence. There was no way to contain him. Three players had a crack at him in the build-up to the fifth and none got close.
The only disappointment of the night for Slot was Joe Gomez’s first-half injury, with an apparent hamstring strain reducing Liverpool’s centre-back options.
Jarrell Quansah, who came on at the London Stadium, now looks set to partner Virgil van Dijk against Man Utd at Anfield on January 5.
As for West Ham, this was a gruelling end to a tough year. Mohamed Kudus hit the woodwork twice and they may feel the game could have gone another way if his drive against the inside of a post at 1-0 had gone in.
But after losing 5-1 in the Carabao Cup at Anfield in September, this was another reminder of how far away they are from the Premier League’s best side right now. They sit 13th, with a four-game unbeaten run over and a number of home supporters frustrated at the progress or lack of under Julen Lopetegui, with some boos at full time.
Credit: Sky Sports
