Liverpool restored some much-needed confidence with a 2–0 win over West Ham United, extending their remarkable dominance in this fixture by claiming a 15th victory in the last 13 Premier League meetings between the sides. The result ends a bleak spell for the Reds after three consecutive heavy defeats.

The atmosphere at the London Stadium was subdued following the announcement of Billy Bonds’ passing, with tributes observed before kick-off. Once the match began, however, Liverpool quickly sought to seize control and halt their worrying run of form.

Despite their recent struggles, this matchup looked ideal for a response, and the visitors wasted no time asserting themselves. Big-money signing Alexander Isak nearly opened the scoring with an acrobatic strike that forced Alphonse Areola into an exceptional reflex save.

Even with Mohamed Salah named among the substitutes, Liverpool crafted the best chance of the first half. Virgil van Dijk launched a speculative long ball that unsettled the West Ham back line, falling kindly to Florian Wirtz. The German midfielder appeared poised to register his first Premier League goal, but his weak finish was gratefully held by Areola.

Isak, who like Wirtz had endured a difficult start to life at Anfield, finally broke his duck just before the hour mark. Cody Gakpo slipped him the ball inside the box, and the Swedish striker created space before sweeping a composed finish beyond Areola to give Liverpool a deserved lead.

West Ham offered little attacking threat throughout, and frustration grew when Nuno Espírito Santo opted for a like-for-like swap in attack rather than adding an additional forward—much to the irritation of the home supporters. Their hopes evaporated entirely in the 84th minute when Lucas Paquetá, already booked for dissent, astonishingly received a second yellow for the same offence just moments later.

With the hosts reduced to ten men, Liverpool sealed the victory in stoppage time. Gakpo pounced inside the six-yard box to fire home and remove any lingering doubt over the outcome.

The win lifts pressure off Arne Slot and propels Liverpool back into the top half of the table. West Ham, meanwhile, remain outside the relegation zone only due to the struggles of other teams around them—and will be nervously glancing at the standings ahead of the upcoming midweek fixtures.