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The Reds arrived in London looking to halt a worrying run of three straight defeats in all competitions. Arne Slot needed a performance that restored control, calm, and belief. He got all three. Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo secured a deserved 2-0 victory over West Ham United at London Stadium, giving the Reds a timely lift and steadying the mood around the squad.
The match brought several positives. Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz returned to the starting XI after recovering from illness and injury. Joe Gomez earned his first league start of the season. And most importantly, Liverpool managed the game well from start to finish, something that was missing over the past month.
A Light Start Marked by a Moment of Tribute
Before the ball was kicked, London Stadium paused for a moment of applause in memory of West Ham legend Billy Bonds, who passed away at the age of 79 earlier that morning. The tribute set a respectful tone and both sets of players joined the supporters to honor one of the club’s most influential figures.
The early stages of the match were slow, with both sides settling in rather than taking risks. Liverpool controlled possession but did not force much out of West Ham’s back line. The hosts were compact and patient, and the Reds were careful with their buildup, perhaps still carrying the weight of recent losses. It took until the 21st minute for the first clear chance to arrive.
Isak Denied as Liverpool Grow Into the Game
Liverpool’s first real opening came from smart work on the right. Gomez whipped a deep cross to the far post and Gakpo rose well to nod the ball back into the area. It dropped perfectly for Isak, whose quick shot on the turn was kept out by Alphonse Areola. It was a sharp stop from the goalkeeper and a reminder that Liverpool needed to increase their speed in the final third.
A few half chances followed. Isak curled one effort wide. Van Dijk met a corner but could not steer his header on target. Liverpool were finding pockets of space but not converting them into high quality shots.
The best chance of the half fell to Wirtz. Six minutes before the break, Van Dijk sent a long ball into the West Ham box. Gakpo took it down smoothly and rolled it toward Wirtz, who had the entire goal to aim at. His side-footed attempt lacked the power needed to beat Areola, who got down quickly to push it away.
Liverpool finished the half on the front foot and Gomez continued to threaten down the right. Another driven ball into the area forced Areola to step in again to clear danger. The Reds looked comfortable but not clinical, and the scoreline reflected that.
Second Half Lift as Liverpool Find the Breakthrough
Whatever Slot said at halftime had an effect. Liverpool came out sharper, quicker in transition, and more assertive with their spacing. The passing between the lines improved and Wirtz became more involved in linking play through the center. Fifteen minutes into the second half, the pressure paid off.
A long throw into the West Ham penalty area caused a scramble and the attempted clearance dropped to Wirtz. He immediately fed Gakpo, who improvised with a hooked pass into the heart of the box. Isak reacted instantly and met the ball with a clean first-time strike that flew past Areola.
It was a composed finish and an important moment for the forward. The goal marked his first Premier League strike for Liverpool and settled any lingering tension around his role after joining the squad.
Shortly after scoring, Isak was replaced by Hugo Ekitike, who returned from a back complaint suffered against PSV. Ekitike almost made an immediate impact with a curling effort from distance that had Areola stretching.
Game Management Becomes the Priority
With the lead secured, Liverpool shifted their focus toward control. Konate and Van Dijk marshalled the back line well. Gomez continued to offer quality on the right and Kerkez, who later made way for Robertson, balanced the left flank. Alisson had little to deal with and looked comfortable on his return.
Liverpool’s midfield also tightened up. Szoboszlai worked hard to regain possession, Mac Allister guided the tempo, and Gravenberch offered the forward runs needed to keep West Ham’s midfield honest.
The match tilted further in Liverpool’s favor in the 83rd minute. Lucas Paqueta collected two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving the hosts with ten men and giving the Reds even more control during the final stretch.
Even with a man down, West Ham had one more dangerous moment. Jarrod Bowen found space and fired a low effort that tested Liverpool’s composure. It served as a reminder that the match was not over yet and the visitors needed to stay sharp.
Gakpo Seals the Win in Added Time
Liverpool wrapped up the victory two minutes into stoppage time. Gomez, who had been excellent all afternoon, delivered another quality cross from the right. Gakpo cushioned it perfectly with his first touch and drilled a composed finish into the back of the net.
It was a goal that reflected the confidence he showed throughout the match. His link-up play, movement, and decision making were all strong, and the late strike capped a performance that stood out even before the ball hit the net. With the final whistle, Liverpool not only secured three points but also rediscovered the balance and calm that had been missing recently.
What This Win Means for Liverpool
This result does more than end a losing streak. It resets Liverpool’s rhythm at a crucial point in the season.
Key positives include:
• The return of Alisson and Wirtz
• A confident performance from Gomez
• Isak opening his league account
• A clean sheet after weeks of shaky defending
• Strong game management from the entire squad
Slot has spoken repeatedly about improving stability and decision making. This match showed clear improvement in both areas. The team controlled large stretches, limited West Ham’s chances, and took their own opportunities with more precision. There is still work to do, but this outing in London felt like a solid step toward better consistency.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool needed a performance that was steady and clinical. They delivered one. Isak’s first league goal for the club and Gakpo’s composed finish gave the Reds a much needed 2-0 win at West Ham. The return of key players added stability and the overall team mindset looked sharper than it has in weeks. If Liverpool can build on this, the difficult spell they endured may soon feel like a turning point rather than a sign of deeper issues.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com