Premier League 2020/21: Liverpool v West Ham United match report


Premier League 2020/21: Liverpool v West Ham United match report
Diogo Jota celebrates scoring against West Ham

Liverpool made yet another comeback victory as goals in each half by Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota ensured that Liverpool took first place in the league table. Everton plays Newcastle United later on Sunday and can take back first place with a win. For the third match running Liverpool had a goal disallowed by VAR and this could be debated if it was controversial or not.

ADVERTISEMENT

Match Report

Liverpool were poor in the first half with the front three struggling against a well-organized defence. To make things worse, the midfield three weren’t able to assist them too and so they had to do things on their own. West Ham took the lead in the 10th minute when Joe Gomez’s poor header landed straight at Pablo Fornals feet. The West Ham players placed his shot right where Alisson couldn’t reach and gave his team the lead. After the goal West Ham were content in sitting back and playing on the counter, making Liverpool work for their equalizer.

Playing in a 5-3-2 formation, West Ham choked Liverpool’s famed front three and nothing could come of their efforts. There were however some occasional flashes of brilliance as Salah created a chance out of nowhere for Jordan Henderson. The latter’s shot was just inches wide of Lukasz Fabianski’s post. Later Curtis Jones’s lofted pass found Mohamed Salah in the West Ham penalty box. Arthur Massuaku tripped Salah and the latter made the most of it. Referee Kevin Friend gave Liverpool a penalty and Salah equalized.

Liverpool started the second half better and took the game to West Ham. They forced West Ham into a box and kept them there for most of the second half. Defender Nathaniel Phillips, making his start instead of Rhys Williams put in a stellar performance. He kept Sebastian Haller quiet for the whole match, before the latter was subbed off. He seldom put a foot wrong and played with confidence.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jurgen Klopp brought in Xherdan Shaqiri and Diogo Jota in place of Curtis Jones and Roberto Firmino and it immediately brought results. The former was instrumental in unlocking the opposition defence as he made more than a couple of through balls. Diogo Jota has been Liverpool’s best signing off the summer as he has seamlessly slotted into the team. He was lively and energetic and played with purpose. He scored a goal when a clearance came his way, but VAR ruled it out as a foul on the goalkeeper by Sadio Mane.

Minutes later Xherdan Shaqiri sent a beautiful pass through Fabian Balbuena’s legs. Jota collected it and effortlessly slammed the ball past Lukasz Fabianski to give Liverpool the lead. VAR couldn’t rule this out and so Jota celebrated. After Luis Garcia in 2004, Jota is the first Liverpool player to score goals in his first three home games. His white-hot form will surely ensure Klopp to ponder on Roberto Firmino’s inclusion in the squad.

It wasn’t a big win, but it was enough to preserve Liverpool’s unbeaten home record as they equaled the previous record set by Bob Paisely’s men from 1978-81.

Opinions

Firmino has been below par this whole season, even with Diogo Jota knocking at his door. Now Xherdan Shaqiri will be vying for a place in the squad following his performances today and against Midtjylland. With Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita returning soon, Jurgen Klopp has tough decisions to make. Liverpool have a tough week ahead as they face Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League.

ADVERTISEMENT
Diogo Jota has been in white hot form for Liverpool as he challenges for a starting position

With the form that Jota is in and the way he has connected with Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri, we just might be treated to some new formations!

Also read: Premier League 2020/21: Saturday Report (31/10/20)