Match Notes: WHU 0-2 LFC

Sports - Football - Premier League - WHU 0:2 LFC

Liverpool recorded their 15th consecutive Premier League victory, beating 17th-placed West Ham 0-2 in their game in hand at the London Stadium on Wednesday night, to take them to 70 points in the quickest time, 19 points clear at the top of the table, ahead of defending champions Manchester City.

The Reds' historical run continues to 41 league games unbeaten, the third longest run in English top-flight history after Nottingham Forest (42 in 1978) and Arsenal (49 in 2004), having beaten all 19 team they have faced in the league this season.

And I am happy to report, I was there. As an undercover Kop, in the Billy Bonds stand, I can say, the atmosphere was nowhere near Upton Park. Apart from the couple of takes of the bubbles song, the crowd went quiet, frustrated, the Red corner was the loudest.

The visitors had most of the ball, control and chances, but the Hammers were well organised at the back, less so at the front, wasting the few chances they created. David Moyes grew more and more frustrated with all the miscontrol and mess-ups, the fans also, sarcastically cheering the only change the Scotsman made. 

Mohamed Salah put the league leaders ahead from the spot after Issa Diop's foul on Divock Origi and the VAR took its time to confirm (pen 35'). And the great Egyptian turned from scorer to provider after the restart, setting up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the counter. 

The former Gunner made no mistake finishing off the superb move started by skipper Jordan Henderson, striking the ball with his right boot into the bottom left corner (52'). Here's my video of that counterattacking goal.

Both sides had chances after that, Salah hit the woodwork for the Reds and should have had at least a brace, and Trent Alexander-Arnold with a bit of frantic defending at the other end, but the result never looked under threat and all the records with it. 

It's only the fourth time a run of 15 wins has been completed (Manchester City 18 in December 2017, Liverpool 17 in October 2019 and City 15 in August 2019), 

It was Jürgen Klopp's 150th victory as LFC boss in all competitions (W150 D58 L39). The German played all these records down as always in the post-match interview: "I'm only happy about the three points." he said. 

"Tonight was a normal performance. I have no idea [if anyone will catch us]. The first target is to get the maximum points - there are still a lot of games. Yes we have 70 points, an incredible number, but so many things can happen. I'm not too much concerned about records. 

"We had a record at [Borussia] Dortmund and Bayern [Munich] beat it the next season. We don't feel as though anything is done, I promise you. We take a deep breath and then Saturday it's Southampton."

But one thing is for sure, us Reds fans are making the most and enjoying every single moment of it, whilst and as long as it lasts. This side is making the unbelievable believable, undoable doable, and just move on and go on. Walk on. Win on. 

Many on social media are trying to argue and melt the records down, saying the league is not as competitive, weak teams, not much competition... Really? Have you seen how many English teams compete in Europe? And reach the last 16 at least?

And how much money and players have been exchanged over the last transfer windows?! The numbers cannot lie. This is still the top spending and playing league. And oh, I nearly forgot to mention, we are the European and World champions for a reason. Simply the best.

WE ARE TOP!!! BOOM!!! YEAH!!! YNWA!!!

XxXXxX

Liverpool Goals: Salah pen 35' and Ox 52'.

West Ham Team: 1 Fabianski; 26 Masuaku, 3 Cresswell, 21 Ogbonna, 23 Diop (booked 33'), 52 Ngakia; 10 Lanzini (18 Fornals 69'), 16 Noble (c) (booked 42'), 41 Rice, 11 Snodgrass; 22 Haller. 5-4-1
Subs not used: 20 Cardoso, 4 Balbuena, 27 Ajeti, 15 Sanchez, 5 Zabaleta, 35 Randolph.

Liverpool Team: 1 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 TAA (8 Keïta 77'); 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 15 Ox (48 Jones 85'); 27 Origi, 9 Firmino (3 Fabinho 69'),11 Salah. 4-3-3 
Subs not used: 18 Minamino, 13 Adrián, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip.

Match Stats: WHU 0-2 LFC
Possession: 29%-71%
Shots: 7-13
On target: 4-5
Corners: 3-7
Fouls: 6-6
Bookings: 2-0

This game was postponed from match week 18

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, own match and RMC Sport coverage.

LFC Break Hammers At London Stadium

Sports - Football - Premier League - WHU 1:4 LFC

Mohamed Salah's double helped Liverpool to their first consecutive league win since August, thrashing West Ham 1-4 at London Stadium on Sadio Mané's much awaited return from injury.

Click here for my FT Notes on the match.

The opening goal came off a killer counter from West Ham's first corner in the 21st minute, Mané with the break, run and pass to his right, where Salah gratefully collected, controlled and tapped in the ball with his left boot, Joe Hart well beaten. Exemplary.

Two minutes and 37 seconds later, Salah took Liverpool's first corner of the game, Hart punched away skipper Mark Noble's block, nearly conceding an own goal, for Joël Matip to net the rebound with his right boot and make it 0-2 to the Reds.

The visitors were happy to play kick-about in the middle of the park after that, frustrating the hell out of the hosts, manager Slaven Bilić and co-owner David Gold no happy men.

To many Reds fans' surprise, Simon Mignolet captained the visitors in Jordan Henderson's absence due to injury, and showed too many shakes and nerves once again.

Andy Carroll was brought on for the Hammers after the break, replacing Edimilson Fernandes, but the former Redman just added to the frustrations and booking list.

Manuel Lanzini pulled one back ten minutes into the second half, off the chest, onto the right foot and into the right corner, nice one.

But seconds later, the bubbles were still blowing, former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain restored Liverpool's two-goal cushion with his first league goal for the club, netting the rebound after Hart blocked and denied his first attempt, nicely set up by Roberto Firmino.

Lanzini came close again seconds later in an action-packed few minutes with just over an hour gone.

Salah made it four and sealed the deal for the Reds with 15 minutes to go, Mané in the build-up again, running, stumbling, getting back up again, running on, providing the Egyptian with the perfect ball into the box, which he netted with the left foot.

The double took Salah just one league goal behind a certain Harry Kane totalling seven in the league and twelve in total for the Reds this season.

London Stadium emptied very quickly, YNWA echoing around with the boos at the full-time whistle, LFC manager Jürgen Klopp all smiles.

It was much needed goals, a much needed win, much needed points for the Reds. A big blow for the Hammers.

The win takes Liverpool closer to the top four whilst West Ham dropped down dangling into the relegation zone.

Their points total after 11 games equals their 2010-11 season when they were relegated from the top flight.

I will be very surprised if Bilić stays in the job, especially with the international break giving the owners time to look around and David Moyes showing interest.

Klopp and Co meanwhile, will be much happier going into the international break after their fourth consecutive win in all competitions, scoring 17, conceding just one.

West Ham Goal: Lanzini 55'.

Liverpool Goals: Salah 21', Matip 24', Oxlade-Chamberlain 56' & Salah 76'.

West Ham Team: 25 Hart; 21 Ogbonna, 8 Kouyate, 2 Reid (booked 47'); 3 Cresswell, 16 Noble (c) (booked 37') (Arnautovic 61'), 10 Lanzini (booked 90'), 14 Obiang, 31 Fernandes (9 Carroll HT); 17 Hernandez (15 Sakho 72'), 20 Ayew. 3-5-2
Substitutes not used: 13 Adrian, 23 Haksabanovic, 26 Masuaku, 41 Rice. 

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet (c); 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 12 Gomez; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (6 Lovren 87'); 19 Mané (7 Milner 77'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 77'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Substitutes not used: 1 Karius, 15 Sturridge, 16 Grujic, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

HT Stats: WHU 0-2 LFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 2-3
On target: 0-3
Corners: 1-2
Fouls: 5-6
Yellow cards: 1-0

FT Stats: WHU 1-4 LFC
Possession: 48%-52%
Shots: 6-15
On target: 1-7
Corners: 2-3
Fouls: 9-13
Yellow cards: 3-0

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Ground: London Stadium
Attendance: 56,961

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report and SFR live match coverage.

FT Notes: West Ham 1-4 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - WHU 1:4 LFC

Biggest pre-match news: Sadio Mané starts for Liverpool after long absence!!! And stopper Simon Mignolet skippers the Reds in Jordan Henderson's absence due to injury.

2' West Ham keeper Joe Hart blocks Roberto Firmino after an early Liverpool free kick, Alberto Moreno brought down loud and painful.

6' Hammers play the ball too far and out for a throw a second time they look close to pushing forward, Obiang with the overhit this time.

9' Ayew hits the post after breaking clear and collecting Lanzini's ball over the top, looking to curl the ball around and past a hesitant Mignolet, Liverpool caught sleeping and running behind.

13' Hernandez goes to ground a little too over-dramatic there, ref doesn't give anything, Bilić is furious. A couple of minutes break as Hernandez receives treatment.

15' Lanzini takes a free kick from about 25 yards out, cleared by the Reds.

16' A lot of tumbles and falls, appeals for free kicks, the ref's whistle on high demand, the visitors winning the call this time in their own half.

18' Offside flag up against Hernandez, Hammers pushing more as the Reds keep losing the ball.

21' Fernandes wins the first corner of the game, on the right, off his throw, the home side on top at the moment. As I write that, the corner is cleared, Mané and Salah break clear, KILLER COUNTER, 0-1! Mané runs and runs and passes to his right, Salah gratefully collects, controls and taps it in with his left, Hart well beaten. BOOM!

24' Salah corner, first for the Reds, Hart punches away NOBLE's block, nearly an own goal there, but MATIP NETS the rebound with his right boot, wham, bam, thank you ma'am, 0-2.

Liverpool are on their way to their first back-to-back league wins since August.

There were just two minutes and 37 seconds between the two LFC goals. West Ham co-owner David Gold does not look impressed.

34' Liverpool happy to play kick-about in the middle of the park, comfy with the two-goal lead, West Ham growing more and more frustrated.

37' First booking goes to West Ham skipper Noble for diving, cheeky one the French commentators say, stupid one I say!

40' Some harsh tackling, but Klopp and Bilić are going more mental than anyone else at the moment, great entertainment on the sideline, like a dance choreography between the two managers.

44' Roadrunner style, Salah breaks on the right, wins a corner, second for the Reds, Hart collects.

45' Mané gives away a free kick, soft one, the home side looking for anything and everything, desperate.

Two minutes added on before the break, loud boos echoing around London Stadium, the Hammer fans are not happy.

Mignolet comes out of the box, unable to clear the ball against Ayew on the right, flappy, floppy, needless.

But I'm happy, nothing comes off that little slip up, Liverpool stay two goals up at the break, West Ham drawing a much more sloppy and frustrated picture!

HT Stats: WHU 0-2 LFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 2-3
On target: 0-3
Corners: 1-2
Fouls: 5-6
Yellow cards: 1-0

Andy Carroll is brought on for West Ham at the break. Surprised to see Fernandes is the one replaced, who had a lot of influence and power in the first half, the little the Hammers created.

47' Reid booked for foul on Mané, cynical one.

49' Mané shot wide, goal kick for the Hammers.

51' Carroll elbows Matip, concedes a free kick, but avoids a card, very lucky escape there.

54' Flag goes up against Lanzini, clearly offside.

55' Mané goes down again, nothing given, lucky not to end up in the books... LANZINI, chest, right foot, right corner, cheeky, pokey one! 1-2 AND GAME ON!

56' OXLAAAAADE right foot, blocked and denied well by Hart, BUT CHAMBERLAIN NETS THE REBOUND with his left foot!!! 1-3 thanks to Oxlade-Chamberlain, the former Gunner's first league goal for the Reds, just when the Hammers thought they were back in it!!! Hart looks devastated, Bilić can't believe it! Nicely set up by Firmino by the way.

59' LANZINI AGAIAIAIN, this time high, tight angle again, so close. I. Can't. Keep. Up.

60' Mignolet gets the ball, Lanzini goes down, soft, softer, the softest, nothing given, game on.

61' Bilić has had enough, brings on Arnautovic in place of Noble. The skipper is injured actually. My mistake.

62' Free kick for the Hammers on the left, Lanzini takes, Chicharito heads it high.

64' Lanzini flagged offside again, close one this time. Hammers edging closer, Mignolet takes the kick.

65' Free kick given against the Ox, a bit late there, and nowhere near the ball, faire enough.

66' Mignolet catches, Carroll and Can are down after a collision.

69' Hernandez heads high, claims push, nothing given, goal kick. Firmino puts a shot across goal and wide on the other side.

72' Last change for the Hammers, Javier Hernandez is replaced by Diafra Sakho with just under 20 minutes to go.

75:01 SALAH MAKES IT FOUR!!! Sadio Mané with the build-up, runs, stumbles, falls over a challenge, gets back up again, runs on, provides Salah with the perfect ball into the box, edge of the box, the Egyptian takes and nets with the left foot! 1-4, a lot of fans are heading for the exits.

Salah is just one league goal behind a certain Harry Kane totalling seven in the league and twelve in total for the Reds this season.

77' And James Milner replaces Sadio Mané, Klopp is taking no fitness risk here.

81' Salah left-footer from the centre of the box, Hart catches.

84' Liverpool attack again, Salah shoots again, blocked by Hammers defence this time, for a change.

86' Milner shot wide, had all the time and space in the world, with a couple of team mates, a bit selfish there by the sub.

86' Liverpool on the attack again, Firmino shot goes high.

87' Second Liverpool change, Dejan Lovren comes on for the Ox. And last change at the same time, Solanke replaces Firmino, hug from the German coach.

89' Chance after chance for the Reds, the visitors win a corner, Milner cross, blocked, free kick to the Hammers, Matip fouled Reid.

90' Lanzini is booked and free kick goes to the Reds near the middle-line.

Three minutes added on, YNWA echoes around the London Stadium. Klopp is all smiles with the fourth official.

Kick-about for the Reds near the centre circle, Hart clears the ball eventually.

Goal kick to the Hammers, the whistle and boos go eventually, Bilić gutted, the ground is empty already.

Klopp is pushing and sending his team out onto the pitch, with many thanks I hope and think.

Much needed goals, much needed win, much needed points for the Reds.

The win takes them up to sixth, level on points with Chelsea and Arsenal in fourth and fifth respectively, who face Manchester United and Manchester City respectively tomorrow.

West Ham drop down to 17th, one point off the drop zone, where Everton and Palace have a game in hand.

Their points total after 11 games matches their 2010-11 season when they were relegated from the top flight.

I will be very surprised if Bilić stays in the job... The international break giving more time to find a replacement...

FT Stats: WHU 1-4 LFC
Possession: 48%-52%
Shots: 6-15
On target: 1-7
Corners: 2-3
Fouls: 9-13
Yellow cards: 3-0

West Ham Goal: Lanzini 55'.

Liverpool Goals: Salah 21', Matip 24', Oxlade-Chamberlain 56' & Salah 76'.

West Ham Team: 25 Hart; 21 Ogbonna, 8 Kouyate, 2 Reid (booked 47'); 3 Cresswell, 16 Noble (c) (booked 37') (Arnautovic 61'), 10 Lanzini (booked 90'), 14 Obiang, 31 Fernandes (9 Carroll HT); 17 Hernandez (15 Sakho 72'), 20 Ayew. 3-5-2
Substitutes not used: 13 Adrian, 23 Haksabanovic, 26 Masuaku, 41 Rice.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet (c); 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 12 Gomez; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (6 Lovren 87'); 19 Mané (7 Milner 77'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 77'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Substitutes not used: 1 Karius, 15 Sturridge, 16 Grujic, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Ground: London Stadium
Attendance: 56,961

All facts and stats were taken from the BBC website and SFR live match coverage.

HT Notes: West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - WHU 0:2 LFC

Biggest pre-match news: Sadio Mané starts for Liverpool after long absence!!! And stopper Simon Mignolet skippers the Reds in Jordan Henderson's absence due to injury.

2' West Ham keeper Joe Hart blocks Roberto Firmino after an early Liverpool free kick, Alberto Moreno brought down loud and painful.

6' Hammers play the ball too far and out for a throw a second time they look close to pushing forward, Obiang with the overhit this time.

9' Ayew hits the post after breaking clear and collecting Lanzini's ball over the top, looking to curl the ball around and past a hesitant Mignolet, Liverpool caught sleeping and running behind.

13' Hernandez goes to ground a little too over-dramatic there, ref doesn't give anything, Bilić is furious. A couple of minutes break as Hernandez receives treatment.

15' Lanzini takes a free kick from about 25 yards out, cleared by the Reds.

16' A lot of tumbles and falls, appeals for free kicks, the ref's whistle on high demand, the visitors winning the call this time in their own half.

18' Offside flag up against Hernandez, Hammers pushing more as the Reds keep losing the ball.

21' Fernandes wins the first corner of the game, on the right, off his throw, the home side on top at the moment. As I write that, the corner is cleared, Mané and Salah break clear, KILLER COUNTER, 0-1! Mané runs and runs and passes to his right, Salah gratefully collects, controls and taps it in with his left, Hart well beaten. BOOM!

24' Salah corner, first for the Reds, Hart punches away NOBLE's block, nearly an own goal there, but MATIP NETS the rebound with his right boot, wham, bam, thank you ma'am, 0-2.

Liverpool are on their way to their first back-to-back league wins since August.

There were just two minutes and 37 seconds between the two LFC goals. West Ham co-owner David Gold does not look impressed.

34' Liverpool happy to play kick-about in the middle of the park, comfy with the two-goal lead, West Ham growing more and more frustrated.

37' First booking goes to West Ham skipper Noble for diving, cheeky one the French commentators say, stupid one I say!

40' Some harsh tackling, but Klopp and Bilić are going more mental than anyone else at the moment, great entertainment on the sideline, like a dance choreography between the two managers.

44' Roadrunner style, Salah breaks on the right, wins a corner, second for the Reds, Hart collects.

45' Mané gives away a free kick, soft one, the home side looking for anything and everything, desperate.

Two minutes added on before the break, loud boos echoing around London Stadium, the Hammer fans are not happy.

Mignolet comes out the box, unable to clear the ball against Ayew on the right, flappy, floppy, needless.

But I'm happy, nothing comes off that little slip up, Liverpool stay two goals up at the break, West Ham drawing a much more sloppy and frustrated picture!

HT Stats: WHU 0-2 LFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 2-3
On target: 0-3
Corners: 1-2
Fouls: 5-6
Yellow cards: 1-0

LFC Goals: Salah 21' & Matip 24'.

WHU Team: 25 Hart; 21 Ogbonna, 8 Kouyate, 2 Reid; 3 Cresswell, 16 Noble (c) (booked 37'), 10 Lanzini, 14 Obiang, 31 Fernandes; 17 Hernandez, 20 Ayew. 3-5-2
Substitutes: 7 Arnautovic, 9 Carroll, 13 Adrian, 15 Sakho, 23 Haksabanovic, 26 Masuaku, 41 Rice.

LFC Team: 22 Mignolet (c); 18 Moreno, 17 Klavan, 32 Matip, 12 Gomez; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Substitutes: 1 Karius, 6 Lovren, 7 Milner, 15 Sturridge, 16 Grujic, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Ground: London Stadium

All facts and stats were taken from the BBC website and SFR live match coverage.

Stubborn Hammers deny Liverpool at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 0:0 West Ham

Stubborn Hammers denied Liverpool, keeping them at bay in an entertaining goalless draw at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers' men will see it as two points dropped rather than one point won in their challenge for European qualification. West Ham meanwhile can be happy after fighting on and coming out of this fast-paced clash with a point easing their relegation concerns. 

The guests' keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and defender James Collins deserved to share the man-of-the-match award for me with two brilliant, stubborn and solid performances all round by both men, keeping their side in the game throughout.

Anfield remembered the Hillsborough 96 before kick-off with a minute of silence. The home side settled into the game quickly after a sloppy start with fowls and giveaways.

Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge were all denied again and again by Jaaskelainen an the Hammers' back line in a high-pace and action-packed first half.

The second half continued in similar fashion, Sam Allardyce's men keeping the Reds out and eventually threatening to nick something out of this game with Kevin Nolan proving a regular threat and thorn in Liverpool's eyes.

Jack Collison came closest when he saw his header cleared off the line by Lucas Leiva with only a couple of minutes remaining.

Both sides battled on and blocked each other out till the final whistle, but the stats don't lie.

The Hammers had the more and harder work to do to hold on to the draw, frustrating the Reds, who remain in seventh, three points behind their local rivals Everton in sixth.

West Ham meanwhile drop to 12th on 37 points, six points clear of the drop zone and three points away from the magical survival line of 40 points.

They haven't won at Anfield in half a century! The gladder they can be with the point!

Liverpool v West Ham:

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 23 Carragher, 2 Johnson; 21 Lucas, 8 Gerrard; 10 Coutino, 14 Henderson (11 Assaidi - 71.), 19 Downing (15 Sturridge - 26.); 7 Suarez. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 16 Coates, 30 Suso, 33 Shelvey, 37 Skrtel.

West Ham: 22 Jaaskelainen; 17 O'Brien (booked 85.), 19 Collins, 5 Tomkins (18 Pogatetz - 83.), 20 Demel; 32 O'Neil, 21 Diame; 7 Jarvis, 4 Nolan (14 Taylor - 62.), 12 Vaz Te (10 Collison - 62.); 9 Cole. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 13 Henderson, 11 Maiga, 29 Chamakh, 33 Potts.

1st & 2nd Half Stats:
Liverpool-West Ham
Attempts: 6-8 & 11-4
On target: 3-0 & 4-1
Offsides: 2-0 & 2-0
Corners: 6-1 & 7-1
Free kicks: 1-3 & 4-4
Possession: 84%-16% (16.), 66%-34% (HT), 75%-25% (57th min), 65%-35% (FT)

Sky Stats:
Tackles/Success: 18-28788.9%-86.2%
Passes/Success: 597-314/82.2%-64.6%
Crosses/Success: 21-15/9.5%-40%

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Man of the match: James Collins