Liverpool 2-1 West Ham: Reds Grind Out Win in Tight Title Race | OneFootball

Liverpool 2 – 1 West Ham – Premier League Player Ratings

Following the 3-2 loss away to Fulham last weekend, the Reds resumed their run towards Premier League glory in the knowledge that Arsenal had only achieved a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford on Saturday. With an opportunity to extend their lead to 13 points from the second-placed Gunners, the Anfield faithful were full of song as they welcomed the East London outfit with just three wins needed from seven games to guarantee a 20th English League title.

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 8.0

The giant Brazilian stopper came back into the team following concussion protocol issues, with a desire to bring an elite level back into the home team’s rearguard. His dominance and assurance were evident in a super first-half performance that saw him make two brilliant stops. The second half needed more assurity and he could do nothing for his own goal.

Conor Bradley – 6.0

The Ireland international was recalled after injury to add more thrust and fullback expertise, with a strong start involving a long-range strike which inched narrowly wide.

After the intermission, the former academy graduate was less effective as he tired before being replaced.

Subbed – 68 mins

Kostas Tsimikas – 6.0

The Greek international was steady and a willing outlet on the left flank within a solid first-half showing.

After the halftime break, the popular fullback struggled to maintain his levels before leaving the pitch.

Subbed – 60 mins

Ibrahima Konaté – 7.0

The France international defender was commanding and showed his usual physicality to keep the ball in the opposition zone.

In the second half, the former RB Leipzig man was needed time and time again as his team struggled to keep their nerve.

Virgil van Dijk – 8.0

The captain and leader of this team was loud and commanding as he drove his team forward to win the game. His awareness and strength in one-on-one situations was important to repel sporadic counterattacks.

After the restart, the former Celtic man was partly at fault for his own goal, however, powered his header into the net to bring jubilation from the crowd.

Photo: IMAGO

Ryan Gravenberch – 6.0

The Duch midfielder was very smart on the ball and used his body well to travel up the pitch. A better first half than in previous weeks, as the deep-lying man looked to dictate play.

After the break, the former Ajax prodigy was less effective as he maintained good positioning.

Curtis Jones – 6.0

The former England under-21 skipper was a roaming midfielder with a license to pick up the ball deep or in love himself in the final third. Much of his work was about recycling possession within a controlled opening half.

After the intermission, the former academy graduate was unable to make a positive impact before his substitution.

Subbed – 68 mins

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.0

The Argentina World Cup winner was a controlling entity in the first half as he gently dominated the middle zone before seeing a wicked low shot saved well on the half hour.

In the second 45 minutes, the former Brighton man was the steady leader in the middle who kept to ball moving to alleviate pressure.

Diogo Jota – 5.0

The Portuguese striker was a nuisance in the first half as he continually probed the backline to try and create an opening to score.

In the second half the former Wolves man was ineffective before leaving the pitch.

Subbed – 60 mins

Luis Díaz – 8.0

The Columbian forward started on the wing and looked lively with a South American fire burning within. His running and intricate movements were rewarded with the opening goal, as he matched onto the Mohamed Salah pass to score into an empty net. The enigmatic attacker headed over when he really should have scored.

In the second half the former Porto man was the main threat against a team empowered to fight back.

Mohamed Salah – 8.0

The Egyptian King was electric in the first half as he showed brilliant form to create the opening goal by way of a terrific run from the halfway line, before finding the perfect pass to assist Diaz. Another superb spin and run on his marker followed shortly thereafter.

After the break, the record-breaking scorer was less effective as his team struggled to keep pace with the pressure.

Subbed – 84 mins

Man of the Match

Substitutions;

Cody Gakpo – 5.0 (on 60)

Came on to offer variation.

Andy Robertson – 5.0 (on 60)

Came on to score their own goal.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.0 (on 68)

Came on to offer energy.

Jarell Quansah – 6.0 (on 68)

Can on to add strength.

Wataru Endō – 5.0 (on 84)

Came on.

The Manager;

Arne Slot – 7.0

The Dutch manager picked a team that was designed to overcome and shuffled the lack slightly after last week’s loss.

The substitutions offered little impact as the strain of winning stunted early promise.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

Liverpool 3 – 1 West Ham