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
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 50 league games at Anfield against West Ham - a 3-0 loss in August 2015 under Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
GREAT SAVE! Alvarez outmuscles Szoboszlai to win it on the left before Paqueta clips a good cross into the middle. Soucek has a free header in the middle and he thumps it towards the near bottom corner, but Alisson gets down quickly to tip it wide.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
GREAT CHANCE! Soucek is looking to turn provider this time, and he curls a wonderful cross onto the edge of the six-yard box. Antonio runs onto it and heads it across goal, but he sends it wide.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
Liverpool are pushing forward down the right, and Szoboszlai manages to lay it off to Salah before he's tripped. Jones is making a late run to the far post, but the Egyptian's cross is too heavy for him to reach.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
West Ham have made a bright start here as Alvarez plays himself out of a tight spot before picking out Ward-Prowse. He has acres of space but sweeps it out to Coufal who lifts a first-time cross in. Alisson awkwardly punches it away.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
There's going to be a slight delay to kick-off as the referee is having some technical problems. He's getting his microphone pack readjusted on the sideline, but as soon as it's sorted, the game will get started.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
The teams are out on the pitch now, with kick-off just moments away!
Liverpool vs West Ham United
David Moyes also made wholesale changes for their Europa League game, and he reverts back to the same line-up that started against City last Saturday. Alvarez and Bowen both missed the game on Thursday through fatigue and illness respectively, but they are back today. Aaron Cresswell is out after picking up a hamstring injury last time out.
Liverpool vs West Ham United
Jurgen Klopp changed his whole starting line-up for the trip to LASK in midweek, but today uses a similar team to the one that started against Wolves last weekend. There are three changes from that game, with Van Dijk available in the league again after serving his domestic ban. Nunez and Diaz also impressed in midweek to start today. Gravenberch is deemed fit enough for the bench after going off injured on Thursday.
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