UK Edition
West Ham 1 Liverpool 4: Mohamed Salah double leaves Slaven Bilic on the brink
When it comes to the effect of Mohamad Salah on Liverpool it is enough to know that his two goals against West Ham took him to within two of the total of 14 that Philippe Coutinho managed in the entire campaign last season, when he finished as the club’s leading goalscorer.
Salah scored his eleventh and 12th against an admittedly shambolic West Ham defence, although the home team were cut apart by the Egyptian and his team-mate Sadio Mane, back from injury after just two training sessions. By the time the international break is over Jurgen Klopp hopes to have Adam Lallana and Coutinho fit again and a side that was taken apart at Wembley by Tottenham last weekend may be in a position to renew their challenge.
Liverpool won their third consecutive game, a feat they have not managed since August and much of it was down to Salah who now has 12 goals this season and resumed his partnership with Mane in a fine breakaway goal for Liverpool’s first. Salah came to the club in the summer, Klopp said, as the unanimous pick of the scouting department and the coaching staff, a £34 million acquisition from Roma who already looks value for money.
“We watched him so often,” Klopp said later, “and the scouting department wanted to do it even earlier so no one else can jump in but we had a lot of different options. He was the decision of all of us. When you find a situation when everybody doing the job agrees on one player you can be sure it will work. It is really nice to have him in the team. He is a real goal threat, he is an offensive midfield player who is more a striker. He needed to adapt to the different style.”
The Liverpool manager lost Jordan Henderson to injury on the morning of the game having drilled his players in a new 4-4-2 system, that allowed them to defend deeper, with his captain to play in central midfield. Georgino Wijnaldum, who had not expected to be ready after a midweek injury against Maribor, travelled with the team only in order to get treatment and ended up starting after he made a quick recovery. The only problem, Klopp said, was that he had not brought his boots with him.
It was Mane though, whose recovery astounded the Liverpool manager, playing 87 minutes after picking up that hamstring injury during the last international break with Senegal. “I decided after one session [that Mane was ready],” Klopp said, “but he had another one after that. He is a naturally fit player, a little machine.” There was also a first goal in a Liverpool shirt for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, another from Joel Matip and by the end West Ham were a smoking wreck, booed off at half-time and then again at the end. Slaven Bilic’s job is on the line over this international break, and with the possibility that the board may bring in David Moyes to try to save them from the threat of relegation, despite Moyes taking Sunderland down last season.
In previous weeks Bilic’s players have done just enough to keep their manager in a job, with that stirring Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur papering over a few cracks. Yet this squad should be a good deal better off than one point above the relegation zone. Bilic changed systems at half-time with his team two behind and sent Andy Carroll on to throw himself at his former club but it was all too late.
It had been 22 minutes into the first half when Salah first struck and West Ham’s players seemed still to be ruminating on the first bad goal they had conceded when, barely two minutes later they conspired to concede a second.
Bilic’s players had failed to lock the back door while they pushed up to take a corner in the 22nd minute and within seconds, Salah had won the ball and flicked it to Mane who was free to run two-thirds the length of the pitch without an opponent to challenge him. With only a frantically back-pedalling Aaron Cresswell between them and Joe Hart’s goal, Mane picked his moment perfectly to play in his team-mate Salah to score.
Around two minutes later Salah hit a corner low to the near post where Wijnaldum ran towards the ball, missed it and things got worse for the home side from there on in. Mark Noble was unable to stop the ball cannoning off his leg and as a consequence Hart had to make a save that pushed the ball out to Matip who scored from close range.
Klopp said it had been a late call to change to a 4-4-2 system that he acknowledged often seemed more like 4-2-4. “It looked from the beginning like a very offensive line up. We had a different idea we wanted to be deeper, more compact and using the space which we have for the counter attacks. We will never know how it could have been if we didn’t score the first one. It was an open game until then. We had to get used to it. The boys had to wait a little more than to jump in [to challenge].”
There was some brief respite for West Ham when Manuel Lanzini scored a fine second half goal, arriving behind Joe Gomez for an Andre Ayew cross hit to the back post, where the Argentinian took the ball on his chest and struck a sweet improvised volley.
The third goal for Liverpool that followed in less than 60 seconds. It was made by the startling first touch of Roberto Firmino who controlled and turned with the ball beautifully before striking a throughball to Oxlade-Chamberlain. Hart saved the first time and the Englishman buried the rebound. Liverpool’s fourth goal was a sequence of defensive disorganisation for West Ham, with Mane riding a couple of tackles, falling over and getting up again before picking out Salah on the left side of the box who rattled in his second.
90 mins
Liverpool have a three on three seconds after a dreadful West Ham free-kick, Solanke leads the charge and goes for goal himself. He drags it wide.
Milner tries to be too clever with a pass when he should shoot and it's a corner. Solanke was looking for the tap-in, Milner may well have been trying to set him up.
87 mins
So close Milner. Oxlade-Chamberlain wins the ball, plays a neat one-two and bursts away - West Ham are caught out for the millionth time. Milner is in space on the left, Oxlade-Chamberlain pokes the ball to him and he gets to the box, cuts onto his right and then tries to fool Hart with a disguised low shot to the near post, which goes wide.
West Ham are a shambles here.
82 mins
Milner reads a pass, intercepts and straight away Liverpool have three on two and the entire pitch to run into. Salah tries to hold the line before sprinting onto a through-ball but Milner knows he's offside, waits and is then tackled.
Liverpool haven't really even had to try particularly hard here tonight.
Salah again! He gets the ball on the edge of the box, puts it on his left and tries to place one to Hart's right but it is well saved.
Carroll jumps with his forearm out - again - and gives away a free-kick.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL!
What a finish. Brilliant.
Salah finds far too much space in the box, controls a chipped pass as Liverpool attack through the middle of a laboured West Ham midfield. Nobody picks up Salah despite the obvious danger and he takes his time to place the shot and buries it in the bottom corner, to Hart's left.
73 mins
West Ham's buildup strategy is currently to get Hart to aim long punts at Carroll's head. Liverpool winning the ball easily.
West Ham take Hernandez off and take Sakho on. They're going for a 4-4-2 now, trying to get high balls into the box. Old school English style football. But will it work, Clive?
71 mins
Arnautovic cuts back onto his right foot and hits an early cross into the middle. Hernandez leaps... but heads over. He wants a penalty for a shove from Moreno but is never getting it.
AND FIRMINO IS IN! He finds space in behind the defence as Reid misses the interception, but pulls his shot wide of the far post. Should be four.
61 mins
I don't know what planet Mignolet is on right now but it's a chaotic one. A poor pass back to Mignolet lures him off his line, he is lucky not to foul Hernandez with a slide tackle and then seems to get confused that Gomez is his teammate and gets in his way.
West Ham take Noble off for Arnautovic. Noble's not had a good game.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!
Liverpool hit back immediately!
And the first time control by Firmino in the buildup is unbelievable. It is the best first touch you will see all weekend, month, year. The ball is chipped forward by Moreno and with one touch, on the spin, Firmino kills it and rolls it around a defender. He finds the Ox, who drives into the box, has one tame shot saved by Hart and has an extra 10 minutes to take his second, which he buries top right. Joe Hart looks sad.
55 mins
Noble doesn't control a throw-in well and loses the ball inside the Liverpool box.
Reid makes a vital interception to stop Firmino being sent clean through behind the defence. So close.
Kouyate slides in from behind on Mane with a really well timed tackle and Mane has thrown himself to the floor like he's dying. He's absolutely fine. He should be made to explain that to his children.
53 mins
Can goes down as Carroll catches him with a forearm... where have we seen this before? Carroll can't believe it but it's a clear foul and he'll need to be careful. That's exactly the kind of thing he does that referees show yellow and red cards for.
West Ham are enjoying the ball a bit more in this half.
51 mins
Can drives forwards and puts Liverpool on the front foot, before passing inside to Mane, who lines up the first time shot from 25 yards. He puts it way over the bar.
Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn't really been involved too often today so far, which isn't really his fault. The ball's been going over his head most of the time. But here he is! He takes two strides and pings a pass towards Firmino... straight to the West Ham defender.
Klopp's 4-4-2
It's a lot like Monaco last season and France now and has fixed a few problems.
First, with a left midfielder ahead of him, Alberto Moreno has defensive cover and is less likely to go wandering. Second, instead of having three central midfielders galavanting in search of fun leaving the defence exposed, now there are two designated defensive central midfielders offering protection. And an extra man to build from the back.
In attack, this means that four forwards can take on West Ham’s back five. Salah likes to play on the wings and drifts out to the right into space, only to sprint into central positions when Liverpool ping a ball over the top. Sadio Mane is doing similar on the left.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mane also attack through the middle if the wing-backs are able to get forward.
Liverpool sit deep when they need and always look capable of causing a scare - by being able to attack down the channels or the centre, they are at last unpredictable.
Over to you, Slaven.
43 mins
How are they supposed to press that with one striker? It's a 4-5-1 or 5-4-1, depending on the phase of play and if one striker goes, then either two central attacking players need to run forward, leaving the Liverpool central midfielders free to receive a pass, or the two wingers need to charge forward, which also leaves a man free for a pass. Klopp has this one nailed down.
15 mins
It is a 4-4-2! But like Monaco's one from last season. Can and Wijnaldum are deeper central midfielders, Oxlade-Chamberlain is right midfield and Mane is left. Salah and Firmino upfront.
Hernandez is clearly fouled on the edge of the area but doesn't get a free-kick. He makes the most of it, sure, but Matip has caught him in the knee. The theatrical flop to the floor probably didn't help there.
12 mins
Ayew runs to a 50/50 and scoops the ball over a defender's head and keeps running - it's an absolutely beautiful bit of skill - and passes to continue his run. He's in! AYEW HITS THE POST! So close!
Mignolet is beaten but Ayew goes for this shot with his left foot and can't quite cushion it at the right angle. Like a snooker shot that bounces back off the edge of the hole.
West Ham are playing well here. Gomez brings down Lanzini.
Liverpool are playing in a 4-4-2 by the looks of things here. I've not seen Klopp try this before.
9 mins
Can shoves Hernandez to the floor, West Ham consider passing around the back until it seems sensible to hump the ball up the other end of the pitch. Liverpool haven't been able to get any real attacking possession yet, they're being snapped at quickly and blocked when trying to run into channels.
3 mins
Moreno takes a sore one early on as Obiang stamps on his foot trying to win the ball. Later in the game that's a definite yellow card.
Salah stands over the set piece and prepares to cross into the middle. It's not dealt with... and Firmino has a chance to get at goal here! He's in the six yard box and stabs a little shot towards goal, Hart blocks and West Ham clear and counter. Cresswell's cross goes straight out for a goal kick.
That was a solid save from Hart there.
Jurgen Klopp pre-match interview
"[Mane] should be ready for more than 25 minutes, he's worked really hard, he did a lot in training sessions so he's already run about a week in normal training.
"It was a strange night. We started training with Hendo but he felt a little bit tight in his thigh, we took him here I thought he could play this morning but the medical department says it's a big risk so he's not even on the bench, which is not cool for us."
Hello
Hi everyone. Welcome to this liveblog, in which I will attempt to describe and analyse all the action from the late Premier League kick-off. West Ham are already looking over their shoulders at the relegation places, Liverpool are in danger of drifting further away from the Champions League chasing group if they lose. There's a lot to play for. Will Liverpool be able to keep up the energy and go for the attacking assault after a midweek European game?
Preview
What is it?
The Premier League match between 16th-placed West Ham and sixth-placed Liverpool.
When is it?
Saturday November 4 at the London Stadium.
What time is kick-off?
5.30pm.
What TV channel is it on?
BT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 5pm.
What is the team news?
West Ham Winger Michail Antonio is out of Saturday's game with a hamstring problem. West Ham are also short in defence with Pablo Zabaleta suspended and Sam Byram, Jose Fonte and James Collins injured.
But Aaron Cresswell has shaken off the dead leg which forced him off at half-time against Crystal Palace and fellow defender Winston Reid should be fit after missing out at Selhurst Park.
Provisional squad: Hart, Reid, Kouyate, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Fernandes, Noble, Obiang, Lanzini, Ayew, Hernandez, Adrian, Rice, Masuaku, Haksabanovic, Arnautovic, Carroll, Sakho.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane could be in line for a surprise recall. The Senegal international's return from a hamstring injury is a fortnight ahead of schedule and after joining full training on Thursday manager Jurgen Klopp said he looked like he could play 25 minutes.
Klopp will make late decisions on midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (ankle) and defender Dejan Lovren (thigh) but playmaker Philippe Coutinho (adductor) is definitely out.
Provisional squad: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Milner, Can, Salah, Sturridge, Firmino, Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Grujic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Woodburn, Solanke, Mane.
What are they saying?
Bilic on his uncertain future:
"Every win, even in the cup but especially in the league, it will take us and me out of that position and put us in a more comfortable position. Every game you don't win puts you in a worse position.
"I don't divide me from the team. We are all in the same boat. We have to think about Liverpool, as it being a very important game, not about my position.
"I do think I can turn it around, otherwise I wouldn't be here. West Ham more important than any individual and that counts me too."
Klopp on whether Mane will feature:
"Sadio is not injured any more. Is he 100 per cent fit? That is different. He is in a good way.
"He has to go there and if they can get the points they need maybe we can talk again and ask if it necessary for him to play the second game and he can come back. That would be the ideal situation.
"If Sadio can play I really think he should because it is good to get some rhythm, otherwise he would not have played for how many weeks. It would be nice. An injury risk is always there, even in training."
What are the odds?
- West Ham win - 9/2
- Draw - 10/3
- Liverpool win - 4/6
What's our prediction?
Sam Dean writes:
Back-to-back 3-0 wins have restored some of the confidence in Liverpool, who breezed to a 4-0 victory at the London Stadium last season. The absence of no fewer than five West Ham defenders through injury or suspension will provide beleaguered manager Slaven Bilic with yet another headache.
Prediction: 1-3