Liverpool secured a much-needed 2-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium, ending a difficult run of form and giving Arne Slot’s side a vital boost at a time when questions had begun to grow around their consistency.
Alexander Isak, under scrutiny for a slow start since his arrival, finally delivered a decisive goal to put Liverpool ahead before Cody Gakpo sealed the victory in stoppage time. For West Ham, the match slipped away late on after Lucas Paquetá was sent off, extinguishing any realistic hope of a comeback.
The opening stages of the match were cagey, with both teams appearing cautious and unwilling to take early risks. West Ham set up in a compact shape, clearly determined to frustrate Liverpool and limit their ability to create clear chances.
The home side had shown flashes of improvement in recent outings, and for much of the first half, they managed to impose a disciplined defensive structure. Liverpool, who have struggled to impose themselves in several recent fixtures, spent long spells circulating the ball in search of openings but lacked penetration in the final third.
As the game progressed, Liverpool gradually began to exert more control, although West Ham’s back line remained largely untroubled before the interval. The first half ended with the feeling that the match could swing either way, but also with the awareness that Liverpool would eventually have to raise their tempo if they were to break through.
Slot had left Mohamed Salah on the bench, a bold decision given the team’s dip in form, and all eyes were on Isak to see whether the striker could justify the managerial risk.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the hour mark, and it came from a move the visitors had been attempting repeatedly but with little reward in previous weeks. Liverpool built patiently from the back, moving the ball with more sharpness and intent than earlier in the match.
When the ball arrived at Isak’s feet inside the box, he showed the composure that Liverpool had been waiting to see from him, guiding a controlled finish beyond the goalkeeper. It was a moment of relief as much as celebration, not just for the striker but for the team and manager as well.
For the first time in weeks, Liverpool had the lead in a game where they looked structurally sound and mentally ready to protect it.
West Ham, who had been content to sit deep for most of the match, were now forced to respond. They tried to push forward with more urgency, but their attempts often lacked the necessary precision.
Set pieces provided their best source of hope, yet even those moments failed to truly trouble Liverpool’s defence. The absence of clinical edge was becoming increasingly clear, and as the minutes ticked away, frustration began to creep in across the pitch and in the stands.
In the 84th minute, that frustration boiled over when Lucas Paquetá received a second yellow card for dissent. The dismissal immediately changed the complexion of the closing stages.
Any lingering possibility of a late West Ham surge evaporated the moment the referee reached for his pocket. Reduced to ten men, West Ham could no longer apply sustained pressure, and Liverpool were handed complete control of the final moments.
With the numerical advantage and the hosts visibly shaken, Liverpool pressed for a second goal to remove any doubt. The chance came deep into stoppage time when Joe Gomez, who had been introduced to help stabilise the late stages, surged forward and delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the box.
Cody Gakpo timed his run well and guided the finish past the goalkeeper to secure all three points. The celebration that followed was one of collective relief and renewed belief, marking the end of a difficult period for the club.
For Arne Slot, this performance provided answers at a crucial moment. His decision to bench Salah and trust Isak paid off, and the team’s overall shape looked far more balanced than in recent matches. The midfield moved the ball with more purpose, the defensive line handled pressure with maturity, and the attack, though not explosive, showed signs of improved cohesion.
West Ham, on the other hand, were left to reflect on a match that slipped away from them through a combination of limited ambition and costly indiscipline. Their defensive structure was effective for long periods, but their inability to put shots on target or sustain meaningful attacking pressure proved decisive.