Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as they thrashed West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium.
Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah all found the net within a 14-minute period in the first half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold then scored via a deflection to make it 4-0, before Liverpool’s handsome victory was rounded off by substitute Diogo Jota late on to mark a perfect end to 2024 for the Premier League leaders.
Dom Smith was at the London Stadium to rate the Liverpool players’ performances…
Alisson 6
Beaten all ends up as Mohammed Kudus fired against the woodwork in both halves of the game. A clean-sheet still arrived, though.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 8
Incredibly positive performance by a man the club simply must tie down to a new contract. Scored from range with a deflected effort.
Joe Gomez 5
Replaced on 37 minutes after receiving treatment on a suspected injury.
Virgil van Dijk 6
Made one late challenge to deny Kudus a one-on-one. Solid at the back.
Andy Robertson 6
Played deeper than Alexander-Arnold on the other flank. Helped to recycle the ball.
Ryan Gravenberch 7
Assisted Alexander-Arnold’s goal in the second half and never stopped running.
Curtis Jones 7
Denied early on by a good save from Alphonse Areola and played well throughout, assisting Salah’s goal.
Alexis Mac Allister 7
The lynchpin in midfield for the Reds, despite not contributing in terms of goals or assists.
Mohamed Salah 9
He is enjoying a remarkable season. Scored and assisted in the same game for the eighth time already this season. We are, let’s remember, still in December. Then assisted a second just for the hell of it. Extraordinary.
Luis Diaz 8
Made the first goal for himself and then finished it off well. A livewire display.
Cody Gakpo 7
Finished well for his goal and was always looking to peel off the shoulder of West Ham’s defenders.
Subs:
Jarell Quansah (Gomez, 37’) 6
Decent display at the back after replacing the injured Gomez from the bench.
Diogo Jota (Gakpo, 58’) 7
Scored with aplomb in the second half as he was fed by Salah before bending past Areola.
Denied
Wataru Endo (Gravenberch, 58’) 5
Handy runout for the Japan international for the final half-hour.
Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson 74’) 5
Played the final 15 minutes as Robertson made way at left-back.
Harvey Elliott (Jones, 74’) 5
Kept things ticking over in midfield in a game that was already well, well won.
Not used: Kelleher, Nunez, McConnell, Danns
