Cody Gakpo set up Alexander Isak for his first Premier League goal as a Red, then scored himself in stoppage time as Liverpool picked up a much-needed 2-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.
MORE — Arne Slot, Alexander Isak react to win
The Irons put up a game effort on a day they mourned the late Billy Bonds, flustering the Reds for the first hour. Lucas Paqueta picked up two quickfire yellow cards late to earn a sending off.
WATCH — West Ham v Liverpool full match replay
Liverpool climb into eighth place with 21 points, two points off fourth-place and eight back of leaders Arsenal prior to the Gunners’ visit to Chelsea later Sunday.
West Ham stay on 11 points, out of the bottom three by very slim margins; The Irons have the same record and goal differential as Leeds, but have scored two more goals.
Liverpool serve up another reminder: Defend well and win
The Reds were much-changed and their nerves were very much on display in the final third before Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Alexander Isak combined for the opener. They were still there after the goal, but the ensuing stanzas was a committed defensive effort that kept West Ham from the danger areas. Liverpool have lost six times in the Premier League this season — only five teams have lost more often and they sit 16th-20th on the table. But collecting three points seven times sure beats a point here or there., and that’s why they ended their match on the precipice of the top four and within site of the top depending on the result of Chelsea vs Arsenal. Liverpool’s clean sheet came from a fine defensive display, perhaps no surprise as center back Joe Gomez played on the right and did not exactly rampage up and down the pitch. But that zero on the board will always have them one goal from three points, and there are playmakers all over this team. And who knows? With an easy stretch ahead, the Reds could be back in the title conversation by New Year’s Day if they keep the back end sorted and stable.
What’s next?
Liverpool are home to Sunderland at 3:15pm ET Wednesday, then go to Leeds at 12:30pm Saturday.
West Ham hit the road for two fixtures: Thursday afternoon at Manchester United and 9am Sunday at Brighton.
West Ham vs Liverpool final score: 0-2
Alexander Isak 59', Cody Gakpo 90+2'
Red card: Lucas Paqueta 84'
West Ham vs Liverpool live updates — by Nick Mendola
Cody Gakpo goal — West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
The Dutchman fights for the ball and makes no mistake with a shot from just beyond the penalty spot.
Lucas Paqueta sent off
Just ridiculous.
Lucas Paqueta is cautioned and is all over referee Darren England.
West Ham’s players attempt to drag him away from England, who is trying desperately to avoid any contact with Paqueta. Even Liverpool keeper Alisson is involved with the bid to calm Paqueta.
The Brazilian keeps going, pushing past Bowen to have more words with England and that’s enough for the ref.
West Ham will finish with no more than 10 men.
West Ham striker swap
Callum Wilson’s day is done, as Niclas Fullkrug enters in the 78th minute.
Wirtz exits
Curtis Jones takes the place of Florian Wirtz with a quarter-hour to play.
That’s it for Isak as both teams make subs
Hugo Ekitike replaces Alexander Isak for Liverpool, while Luis Guilherme takes the place of Soungoutou Magassa for West Ham with about 23 minutes to plat in London.
Alexander Isak goal (video) — West Ham 0-1 Liverpool
The players involved will delight Arne Slot as much as the goal itself.
Florian Wirtz slots Cody Gakpo into the left side of the box, and the Dutchman cuts back to Isak for an incisive near-post finish.
Halftime — West Ham 0-0 Liverpool
Alphonse Areola has been at the heart of the good things in the game, though he’s been aided by the Reds attackers.
The Reds are out-attempting West Ham 5-3 and at least two of those chances were significant.
Areola’s been credited with three saves.
Misfiring Reds!
Gakpo wins a long ball race with Sangassa, then cuts back for Wirtz, whose first-time shot is into the stomach of a stooping Areola.
0-0, 40'.
Isak overhead kick
That would’ve been huge for Isak.
Joe Gomez heads a dangerous ball in from the left and the Swede maneuvers it into an overhead kick.
Alphonse Areola does well to stop it at close range.
Reds have moments
First it’s Florian Wirtz sending a low ball into the heart of the 18. Unfortunately, Alexander Isak is slow to pursue it.
Cleared out for a corner, Virgil van Dijk attacks the set piece but cannot find the frame.
West Ham lineup
Areola, Todibo, Mavropanos, Magassa, Diouf, Potts, Fernandes, Wan-Bissaka, Paqueta, Bowen, Wilson
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Isak
West Ham vs Liverpool preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
The Hammers are three games unbeaten under Nuno Espirito Santo but did cough up a 2-0 lead at Bournemouth last weekend and somehow clung on to draw 2-2 as Alphonse Areola was superb in goal. Still, West Ham look more comfortable in Nuno’s tactics and are dangerous on the counter and from set pieces and if they win this game they will be just four points behind Liverpool in the table.
Liverpool are in freefall and have lost six of their last seven games in the Premier League and were hammered 4-1 at home by PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League in midweek. Arne Slot’s side have now lost three-straight games by a three-goal margin and he will be considering huge changes to his lineup as several stars are underperforming and clearly need a break.
West Ham team news, focus
Oliver Scarles and Lukasz Fabianski remain out injured, while Crysencio Summerville and Konstantinos Mavropanos are both pushing to be fit. Callum Wilson has found some form with three goals in his last two games, including two beauties at Bournemouth last weekend. Jarrod Bowen continues to plug away on the right, while Mateus Fernandes looks like a really top signing driving forward from midfield and youngster Freddie Potts has been excellent breaking up play alongside him. West Ham will fancy their chances of catching Liverpool out on the counter and will see this as the perfect time to play Slot’s side.
Liverpool team news, focus
Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni remain out and Hugo Ekitike is a doubt for the trip to West Ham. Florian Wirtz could come back, while Alisson should be back. Right back is a big problem as Dominik Szoboszlai has been playing there but his absence in midfield has been felt, so Joe Gomez could come in at right back. Slot will also seriously think about taking Mohamed Salah out of the team, as he’s struggling for form massively, while the likes of Andy Robertson, Wataru Endo, and Federico Chiesa are surely all pushing to start given Liverpool’s woeful displays over the last week. The reigning Premier League champions look jaded and are really lacking in confidence, so perhaps this isn’t the time to chuck in youngster Rio Ngumoha, but Slot doesn’t have many other options to freshen things up.
West Ham vs Liverpool prediction
This feels like West Ham will cause Liverpool all kinds of problems but we will see some kind of reaction from Slot’s side. West Ham 2-2 Liverpool.
How to watch West Ham vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9:05am ET Sunday (November 30)
Venue: London Stadium — East London
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
