Draw at West Ham: Luis Díaz Liverpool’s Man of the Match | OneFootball

Match Analysis: Luis Díaz Stars in Liverpool’s 2-2 Draw at West Ham

So many lunch time encounters have been thrust into the world of this illustrious football club, given the appeal Liverpool FC hold to those able to subscribe to TNT Sports. This particular encounter at the London Stadium was always going to be a hard match to win, let alone draw. The energy and concentration levels of this particular group appear to be at an all time low, therefore, to come away with a solitary point is probably a good thing and aids the fight to hold onto third position in the final Premier League standings.

Following the Merseyside disaster against Everton and the capitulation against Crystal Palace last week, it may have been a good thing for this tired band of brothers to depart Liverpool and try their luck on foreign soil. The last positive results had come away to Atalanta and Fulham, respectively, which made this game perhaps less pressurised than the two previous losses.

During the devastating 2-0 defeat at the hands of Everton (at the neighbouring Goodison Park), one outfield player had shown the desire and determination to make something happen and today was no different. The dropping of both Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez was an indication of their lack of confidence and form, whereas the continued inclusion of their Colombian teammate was very much a sign of what he has brought during this barren spell.

Today against a West Ham team also beaten down by recent results, there was a first half that was turgid and void of passion, between two warring sides that looked utterly deflated. Luis Díaz was the reds bright spark who came closest to scoring in their opening 45-minutes, as his shot (just before the West Ham opener) hit the upright. His unpredictable dribbling and direct nature was the only real outlet for Klopp’s beleaguered men in that uninspired half, as the clock ticked towards the break.

The second half was much improved from the entire group on the pitch, as Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Robertson showed the drive needed to make something happen.

The former Porto star, Luis Díaz, was the man to lay on the assist for Liverpools equaliser, whilst threatening to salvage all three points for his outgoing manager. A handful of chances fell to the wiry winger, who tested the keeper to his limits, before surprisingly leaving the field with his team in search for the winning goal.

With so much speculation surrounding the future of the enigmatic attacker, it would be a tough one to take if he were to depart Anfield this summer. Where many reds have fallen away of late, this man of the West Ham match has never faltered in his want to win and fight for his club, which must be commended.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

West Ham 2-2 Liverpool