Liverpool displayed sheer dominance as they routed West Ham United 5-0 at London Stadium on December 29, 2024, maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds wasted no time establishing their control over the game, scoring their first goal through Luis Diaz just 30 minutes after kickoff, setting the tone for the match.
Diaz's strike came after he skillfully maneuvered past West Ham's defenders. His initial shot was deflected but fortuitously returned to him, allowing him to capitalize on the chance and fire it past West Ham's goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. This goal not only kicked off Liverpool's scoring but also laid the groundwork for their aggressive attack throughout the first half.
Following Diaz's opener, the Reds doubled their lead shortly before the halftime break. It was the club’s talisman, Mohamed Salah, who showcased his playmaking skills, assisting Cody Gakpo for the second goal. Salah’s brilliant run and precise pass allowed Gakpo to find himself unmarked inside the box, ensuring Liverpool was comfortably positioned at 2-0.
But Salah wasn't done yet. Just moments later, he finished off another swift counterattack with pinpoint accuracy, sending the ball rippling through the net to increase Liverpool's lead to three goals just before halftime. This marked Salah's 20th goal of the season across all competitions and his 17th goal solely in the Premier League, illustrating his consistent output and importance to the squad.
The second half saw no let-up from Liverpool, whose relentless attack resulted in more goals. Trent Alexander-Arnold added the fourth goal with a spectacular long-range strike, which got deflected off the West Ham defense, deceiving Areola and solidifying the scoreline to 4-0.
West Ham struggled to find their rhythm for the entirety of the match, managing only sporadic attacks against Liverpool's resilient defense. Lucas Paquetá and Jarrod Bowen tried to engineer some threatening plays, but they were often thwarted by Virgil van Dijk and his defensive partners.
Late in the game, Diogo Jota rounded off Liverpool's excellent performance, scoring the fifth goal with Salah providing yet another assist. This stoppage-time goal illustrated Liverpool's clinical finishing, showcasing their ability to capitalize on every opportunity.
The victory had significant ramifications for the Premier League standings. Liverpool's 5-0 win brought their points total to 45, leading Nottingham Forest by eight points, having played one match less. Their exceptional form keeps them comfortably atop the leaderboard, leaving rivals Arsenal and Chelsea trailing by nine and ten points respectively.
For West Ham, the defeat was discouraging as they now sit 13th with only 23 points from 19 matches. Their struggle to compete against the top-flight teams was apparent throughout the game, raising concerns for the club as they face the risk of relegation if they do not strengthen their strategy soon.
Manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the need for improvement, particularly noting how Liverpool exploited the defensive lapses. The Hammers will need to regroup and refocus their efforts as they prepare for their next matches.
The match overall highlighted Liverpool's championship form—a clear indicator of their aspirations for the season. With their attacking prowess and solid team cohesion, the Reds are poised to challenge for the Premier League title once again, especially with contributions from players like Salah, who surpassed another milestone with his number of assists, now totaling 82, placing him 10th on the all-time Premier League assist list, surpassing David Beckham.