Liverpool displayed their dominance with a resounding 5-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on December 29, 2024, solidifying their position at the top of the Premier League table.
The match showcased stellar performances from Liverpool's key players, starting with Luis Diaz who opened the scoring at the 30-minute mark. Following this, Cody Gakpo doubled the lead shortly before halftime, scoring at the 40-minute mark. Mohamed Salah, the team's leading scorer, added another just before the break at the 44th minute, marking his 17th goal of the season.
After the interval, Trent Alexander-Arnold made it 4-0 for the visitors just nine minutes after the restart. Diogo Jota rounded out the scoring at the 84th minute, sealing the 5-0 rout against West Ham.
Salah's performance not only underscored his prowess but also kept him at the forefront of the Premier League's golden boot race, as he currently leads by three goals over Manchester City's Erling Haaland. His consistent scoring has been pivotal for Liverpool this season. "Salah currently leads the scoring race, surpassing Erling Haaland by three goals," reported Premier League Insider.
This latest win marks Liverpool's 23rd consecutive match unbeaten across all competitions, of which 20 have ended in victory, and three resulted in draws. They have accumulated 45 points, placing them firmly at the top of the league.
Meanwhile, West Ham remains entrenched at 13th place with just 23 points, having suffered yet another heavy defeat. The Hammers have struggled to find their form this season and faced significant challenges coming up against such a formidable opponent.
Both teams are set for notable upcoming fixtures; Liverpool will host Manchester United on January 5, 2025, striving to widen their gap at the top of the table. On the other hand, West Ham is scheduled to visit Manchester City the day before, seeking to regain confidence and improve their standings by challenging another top side.
Looking back, the match reflected Liverpool's exceptional attacking capabilities and solidified their reputation as title contenders. The coaching strategies from manager Arne Slot came under the spotlight as he adjusted effectively to his squad’s strengths.
Discussions surrounding tactics, including Liverpool's impressive press and fluid attacking transitions, continue to dominate analysis as fans and experts anticipate how the subsequent matches might play out.
This emphatic win against West Ham serves as both motivation and cautionary tale for upcoming opponents, as Liverpool’s unbeaten streak and scoring capabilities shimmer amid their pursuit of league glory as the season progresses.