The brilliant Mohamed Salah scored his 20th goal of the season as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points and went a game in hand over their nearest challengers with a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Arne Slot's side had won this away day at half-time, with Luis Diaz taking advantage of a deflection to give Liverpool a deserved lead before Salah took over. . “He's a phenomenon,” says Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp.
Salah's only frustration was not leaving London with at least a hat-trick after squandering a series of second-half openings. But his fantastic form was on display again as he dribbled from his own half to play in Diogo Jota for Liverpool's fifth. Trent Alexander-Arnold had previously seen a strike from distance diverted through Max Kilman on a night when almost everything went Liverpool's way.
This was an impressive win that underlined Liverpool's title-winning qualities. With second-best Nottingham Forest way back in second place, Arsenal nine points behind and Chelsea ten behind, the Reds enter the new year with the Premier League crown firmly in their sights.
Salah has been at the center of this title challenge, despite uncertainty over his contractual situation. He has already surpassed his goal total from last season and has more goals and assists combined this season (52) than any player in Europe's top leagues.
The standout player of the season so far was once again at his best here and too hot to deal with, especially in the first half, even when West Ham specifically tasked Aaron Wan-Bissaka to play a man-marking role and then switched to a five-star player. defense of man. There was no way to control him. Three players targeted him leading up to the fifth and none came close.
The only disappointment of the night for Slot was Joe Gomez's first-half injury, with an apparent hamstring strain reducing the Liverpool centre-back's options. Jarrell Quansah, who arrived at the London Stadium, now looks to partner Virgil van Dijk against Man Utd at Anfield on January 5.
As for West Ham, this was a grueling end to a difficult year. Mohamed Kudus hit the woodwork twice and they may think the match could have gone a different way if his shot had gone in against the inside of a post at 1-0. But they didn't land on target.
After losing 5-1 in the Carabao Cup at Anfield in September, it was yet another reminder of how far they currently are from the Premier League's best side. They are 13th, with a four-match unbeaten run and some home fans frustrated at the progress or lack of progress under Julen Lopetegui, with some boos at full-time.
Slot pays tribute to 'extraordinary' Salah
Liverpool boss Arne Slot:
“This was the way I would like to see us play an away game. The stadium is always sold out when Liverpool come and they don't need much to cheer about, so you have to kill that momentum as much as possible. Because we were so dominant that we could control West Ham and the crowd.
“The level you reach during the match also has to do with the team you are facing. West Ham have done well until today. Normally they don't compete for the league, so you have to take that into account how happy you are. ” with a performance. It's not an easy place to go, so it was nice to see how we're doing now.”
About Salah: “Mo and the word extraordinary is something I have heard a lot in the last six months. I don't think he will continue to surprise us because we know what a player he is. He works hard for the team like the other. We can only Let's hope he continues to deliver these performances. But when he scores, other players put him in these positions and he is extraordinary in those positions.”
Analysis: Premier League player of the season Salah shines again
Sky Sports' Peter Smith at the London Stadium:
The Premier League is approaching the halfway mark, but the Player of the Season award already appears to have been locked in. Cole Palmer is blindsided. Bukayo Saka has shone. But Mohamed Salah is in a class of his own.
At the top of the goals overview. At the top of the assist diagram. More goal involvements than any player in Europe's top five leagues: an incredible 52 in all competitions. He has scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games – and it's only December. The staggering statistics continue.
And all this from a 32-year-old who is out of contract this summer. Things off the field have not proven to be a distraction. Perhaps they have been a motivator for the Egyptian; a point to prove? Well, he certainly does. He has proven to be the best player in the Premier League and Liverpool should definitely give this brilliant player a new contract.
He is driving them towards another Premier League title.
Lopetegui: A tough day for us and our fans
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui:
“We don't think we showed a good face in front of our fans. We didn't deserve more. Today was a heavy defeat at home. We have to accept it and move forward and know that we still have a lot to improve in this area.” kind of competitions.
“In the first ten minutes we had one clear situation [when Lucas Paqueta slipped while in on goal] and after we have the opportunity to draw [level at 1-1] with Kudus [when he hit a post] but despite this we certainly need to do better. We have to do better in these types of matches.
“We have to compete better in many things. We had 15-20 minutes when we were out of the game and they destroyed us in these moments. We can do better. We were very far away from them today. We did well .” Last month it was good, but today it was difficult for us.”
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