Liverpool vs West Ham United LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez netted a brilliant goal as his side romped to a 3-1 Premier League win over a dogged West Ham United side at Anfield on Sunday, deftly steering home a volley on the hour mark.
The visitors got off to a flying start when Tomas Soucek forced a brilliant save from Alisson with a downward header in the seventh minute, and two minutes later Michail Antonio headed a Soucek cross wide with the goal at his mercy.
But the Hammers were left to rue those early misses when Mohamed Salah was felled by Nayef Aguerd in the 15th minute for a stonewall penalty, and the Egyptian attacker stepped up to smash home the resulting spot kick to give Liverpool the lead.
That kick-started the home side, but West Ham still managed to level before the break when Jarrod Bowen dived at the feet of Virgil van Dijk to score with a superb low header for his fourth goal of the season.
The goal was eerily similar to the James Ward-Prowse strike that put them ahead against Manchester City a week ago, but once again it wasn’t enough to get them anything from the game.
After spurning a number of decent chances, Nunez finally got on the scoresheet when he latched on to a beautiful lofted pass from Alexis Mac Allister, much to the delight of the Anfield crowd.
That goal took the wind out of the Hammers’ sails and substitute Diogo Jota was able to hook home a third goal from Virgil van Dijk’s knockdown in the 85th minute, four minutes after coming off the bench.
The win leaves Liverpool in second spot in the table on 16 points, two behind leaders Manchester City, while West Ham are seventh on 10 points.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
NO GOAL! Liverpool keep the pressure on as Szoboszlai plays a one-two with Diaz before clipping a ball towards the far post. Jones makes a run off the back of Aguerd before poking it past Areola at his far post. It won't count though as he just set off too early.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
Robertson fizzes it forward for Diaz, but West Ham quickly flood back into their shape to stop him from getting a shot away. He squares it to Szoboszlai, but he decides against the long-range shot.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
CHANCE! Bowen goes down in the box, but the referee signals Mac Allister got the ball as the away fans ask for a penalty. Coufal keeps it alive, pulling it back to Soucek, but his dragged shot is deflected wide.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
WIDE! Areola is put under pressure from Diaz, and the keeper's clearance is cut out by Mac Allister. He helps it forward to the Colombian, who lays it off to Salah. It's not the cleanest strike from him, and it bobbles wide of the far post.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
Diaz threads a ball forward but is blocked off by Alvarez when he tries to continue his run. The Mexican is shown the first yellow card of the game.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
Soucek wins the ball as he goes across Jones, and the youngster stays down holding his foot. He needs treatment, but he'll be okay to carry on.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
Van Dijk lifts a lovely ball over the top to Gomez, and he just cushions it down for Salah. He slices at his cross, and it comes to Nunez too quickly for him to react in the middle.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
West Ham are staying compact, and Liverpool are patiently pressing them deeper into their own box. Szoboszlai debates taking a shot on from range before switching it to Gomez instead, but he can't pick out a cross.
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