Liverpool ended 2024 on a high note, cruising to a dominant 5-0 victory over a struggling West Ham side at the London Stadium. Arne Slot’s men capitalized on their opponents’ lack of cohesion, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points with an emphatic performance.
The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Luis Díaz pounced on a fortunate deflection after Vladimir Coufal blocked his attempted pass to Curtis Jones. Díaz bulldozed his way into the penalty area and fired a low shot past a helpless Alphonse Areola at the near post, giving Liverpool a deserved lead.
West Ham briefly threatened to equalize when Mohammed Kudus unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards, only to see his effort crash against the post. The hosts’ frustration deepened moments later as Liverpool struck again. Alexis Mac Allister’s lofted pass over the Hammers’ backline initially seemed to target an offside Mohamed Salah. However, Salah cleverly allowed the ball to run for Díaz, who played him back into an onside position. After weaving his way through a panicked West Ham defense, Salah’s persistence set up Cody Gakpo to finish with ease.
The clinical display from Liverpool underscored their title credentials, while Julen Lopetegui’s side continued to search for answers in a tough season.
Liverpool closed out a resounding 5-0 triumph over West Ham with a commanding performance at the London Stadium. Mohamed Salah added his name to the scoresheet before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive error. After the Hammers lost possession in their own half, Curtis Jones quickly fed Salah on the edge of the box, and the Egyptian calmly slotted home, sending disgruntled home fans heading for the exits.
In the second half, Salah nearly bagged a brace, breaking through West Ham’s porous offside trap, but Alphonse Areola was equal to his effort. Liverpool, however, soon extended their lead to 4-0. Trent Alexander-Arnold unleashed a long-range strike that deflected off Maximilian Kilman’s head, leaving Areola with no chance.
West Ham showed some late attacking intent, with Mohammed Kudus coming close twice. First, his free header hit the crossbar, and moments later, Salah missed an audacious half-volley from a similar range. However, Salah wasn’t finished. In the game’s final moments, he surged 50 yards upfield, setting up Diogo Jota for a clinical finish that sealed the rout.
The result reinforced Liverpool’s dominance as they surged into the new year with an eight-point cushion at the Premier League summit, while West Ham continued to struggle for form.
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Alisson (6/10):
A spectator for the most part, though one with the privilege of a close-up view. Caught scrambling when Kudus hit the post before Liverpool turned up the heat, though that was as dangerous as his day got.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10):
Looked as assured and confident as ever despite the man-marking of Emerson. Will no doubt have sent the rumour mill into overdrive with a cryptic celebration after scoring Liverpool’s fourth.
Joe Gomez (6/10):
Withdrawn just before the break with a leg injury. Had played pretty well beforehand, and with Konate already out, this will be a bitter blow for Liverpool if his issue is serious.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
Became more proactive with his defending after Gomez’s substitution. Given that’s also around the time Liverpool took the game completely away from West Ham, he didn’t have too much to do regardless.
Andy Robertson (5/10):
Probably the only Liverpool player who had some hairy moments to contend with, occasionally finding himself in trouble up against the tricky Kudus.
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Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):
A calming presence as ever in midfield, so effortlessly tidying up whenever West Ham threatened to string a few passes together. Afforded a rest by being taken off on 57 minutes.
Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):
More combative than the soothing Gravenberch, complementing each other perfectly. Involved in the build-up for the second and third goals, firstly with a defence-unlocking pass and then an aggressive challenge to win possession back.
Curtis Jones (7/10):
Flitted between the lines making an impact wherever he had the ball. Crashed the box and on another day may have had a goal for himself.
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Attack
Mohamed Salah (10/10):
There’s only a finite number of ways to say a player is amazing. The English thesaurus has been exhausted with ways to describe Salah’s performances and at some point we’re going to have to invent some new words. West Ham were visibly scared of Salah from the off, and he made them dance to his every whim.
Luis Diaz (8/10):
Another outing in which winger Diaz has looked a natural playing as a centre forward. Knew when to drop deep to allow Jones to bomb on and his wingers to cut inside, but also bundled his way to the last line when appropriate as well.
Cody Gakpo (8/10):
Played with the directness perhaps more reminiscent of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, though that helped here in tearing apart a tragic West Ham backline. Taken off at the same time as compatriot Gravenberch.
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Subs & Manager
Jarell Quansah (6/10):
Replaced the injured Gomez. Didn’t have too much to get his teeth sunk into, to be fair.
Wataru Endo (6/10):
Given extended Premier League minutes when he replaced Gravenberch for the final third of the game. The intensity of the affair had gone by then and he was easily able to play at walking pace.
Diogo Jota (7/10):
Brought on for Gakpo. Brought the best out of Areola before eventually finding the net himself.
Harvey Elliott (6/10):
Given a 20-minute runaround in place of Jones.
Kostas Tsimikas (6/10):
Came on for Robertson when Elliott was too introduced.
Arne Slot (9/10):
Made only one change from their Boxing Day triumph over Leicester, yet you could hardly accuse Liverpool of lacking freshness. The Reds were by far the best team from start to finish in east London.