West Ham vs Liverpool match report: Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll sink Jurgen Klopp's lacklustre side

West Ham United 2 Liverpool 0

Michail Antonio celebrates with Andy Carroll after opening the scoring (Getty Images)

It was the perfect way for Slaven Bilic to prove a point, and earn three, while leaving Jürgen Klopp “very angry” with himself. On the eve of a game in which West Ham United leapt over Liverpool in the Premier League, Bilic had argued there was actually a lot of logic to what was a supposedly unpredictable season. His side emphasised that by being better than Liverpool in every department and beating them for a second time this term.

Bilic said that the visitors were “always a trophy or target team” but West Ham are long past the point where results like this one are seen as an upset. The match, instead, looked like a good side playing to their strengths, and an uncertain side trying to figure out what their strengths were.

Liverpool certainly didn’t look to have West Ham’s depth, as was demonstrated when Dimitri Payet came off the bench for his first appearance since 7 November and brilliantly embarrassed Klopp’s midfielders with a divine double pull-back.

The scoreline could have been even more humiliating for Liverpool. A few flashes aside, such as Emre Can hitting the crossbar, the visitors had less of the play and fewer chances, with Simon Mignolet much the busier keeper.

The Belgian had no chance with the 10th-minute opener, as Michail Antonio powerfully headed home Enner Valencia’s perfect cross.

Liverpool players thought that Alberto Moreno was fouled in the build-up, but Klopp – to his credit – refused to use that as an excuse and pointed to his team’s laxity, perhaps revealing the real reason they lost.

Andy Carroll celebrates doubling his side's lead (Getty Images)

When it was indicated to Klopp that Antonio had run up the pitch to finish the move, Klopp was even more forgiving. “Then it’s a deserved goal,” the Liverpool manager said, while lamenting his own side’s lack of energy.

“We were there but we were not there,” Klopp added. “It was bad, I told the players after the game – summary: “not enough”. “We could have done much better. Everybody’s sore. We had these two moments. We had the set plays, the throw-in, then they hit the post. It’s not enough. Who wants to see 95 per cent? If you know in the other team there’s Andy Carroll, how can you allow crosses?”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)

The game was won when the former Liverpool striker rose to meet a Mark Noble cross on 55 minutes and hammered in his header. Klopp, however, didn’t solely blame his players. “It’s my responsibility. I am angry about myself,” he said

Bilic was thrilled with his entire side’s collective performance. “Probably the two scorers will get the headlines but it was the team that gave them the opportunity.”

This was the difference, almost personified by the centre-forwards’ performances. While Carroll was able to flourish, the ineffective Christian Benteke looked increasingly frustrated in a system that really didn’t suit him. That slight difference in application and approach doesn’t just mean that West Ham can nick wins off teams like Liverpool. It means that they can significantly better them.

West Ham: (4-4-2) Adrian; Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Antonio (Jenkinson, 85), Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini (Obiang, 38); Carroll, Valencia (Payet 64)

Liverpool: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho (Allen, 81), Moreno (Smith, 62); Can, Lucas; Ibe, Firmino (Lallana, 62), Coutinho; Benteke

Referee: Bobby Madley

Man of the match: Collins (West Ham)

Match rating: 7/10